By Aideloje Ojo Minna
80 patients have getten prostesis otherwise known as artificial leg at no cost from the Leprosy Mission Nigeria at the Niger State Leprosium this year, the Community Public Reations Officer of the Mission, Habila Daneil Dikko has said.
Dikko stated this on Friday while receiving food items donated by the management of Al Amin University and Al Amin International School in Minna.
Briefing the delegation from the former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on the situation of the Leprosium community, Dikko explained that about 10 fresh cases have been reported this year.
According to him, ” there are 16 patients of leprosy disease in this facility. We have about five leprosy communities in Niger state. As at now there is no vaccines for disease but there are drugs that can heal it and stop further deformity “.
He explained that the facility at Chanchanga is the only centre in the country producing prostecis ,adding that, ” here we produce and donate to the poor people affected by leprosy and have their legs amputated. In this year we have given out over 80 prostecis free to those in need”.
Making the donations, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Al Amin University, Dr. Emmanuel Zwanbin explained that the gesture is to commemorate its founder, the late former first lady, Maryam Babangida.
He recalled that during her lifetime, Maryam Babangida always visited the leprosy communities in the state as part of her humanitarian services to the people.
The Acting Vice Chancellor assured of frequent visit to the community adding that, ” we will also assist in sensitising the public about your presence here with a view to eradicate all forms of stigmatisation against leprosy people “.
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