“The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis; but rather the feeling of being unwanted”- St. Mother Teresa.

Leprosy is something we need to fight together to make this world a healthier place to live. Keeping this fact in mind, the Dept. of Community Health Nursing and the 4th year BSc Nursing students of Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal organized a ‘WORLD LEPROSY DAY PROGRAMME’ at Ganeshotsava stage near Govt. Aided Primary School, Hirebettu, on 30th January 2023.

The inauguration of the programme was done by Dr Narasimha Naik, Medical Officer, PHC Hirebettu. Dr Narasimha provided awareness about leprosy, its identification and screening, types, and management. He also enlightened the audience about the importance of prevention and the goal of a leprosy-free India.

The team of 4th year BSc Nursing students conducted a role play on leprosy eradication. Their roleplay included symptoms of leprosy, management and prognosis of leprosy. The role play also highlighted about reduction of social stigma and the availability of free medications and treatment services from PHC. A total of 46 participants attended the programme. The programme was coordinated by Mrs Reshma R Kotian, Lecturer and was guided by Dr Shashidhara Y N, HOD, Dept. of Community Health Nursing, MCON, Manipal. This activity contributed to SDG 3 – Good health and well-being.