Touching the Untouchables with Love and Compassion: Anti-Leprosy Day

On Anti-Leprosy Day, Believers Eastern Church dioceses in India brought relief and comfort to those suffering from leprosy, considered as untouchables and social outcasts in the society, through free medical camps and social welfare programs.

While World Leprosy Day is observed internationally every year on the last Sunday of January, Anti-Leprosy Day is observed only in India. India celebrates this day on January 30, on the Martyrdom Day of Mahatma Gandhi, remembering his selfless efforts and concern for the people affected by leprosy. His vision was not just to treat them, but also to bring them to the mainstream of society.

Believers Eastern Church dioceses used this day to reach out to the leprosy victims by providing them medicine and treatment through free medical camps. The Sisters of Compassion teams and medical workers not just cleaned and bandaged the wounds of leprosy patients, but also used positive words to encourage them.

Besides medical care, food, cloth, slippers, bandages and fruit packets were distributed to the inmates of leprosy homes at various places. Awareness programs were held as well to raise awareness about leprosy and eliminate the stigma attached with this disease.