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Raphael Ede, Enugu
This year’s World Leprosy Day held on January 28, provided opportunity for inmates of the Oji River Leprosy Settlement in Enugu State, to canvass for aid from various public and the private organisations as well as spirited individuals.
In order to improve their economic wellbeing, they want to set up a garri processing factory, develop fish ponds and other micro enterprises.
The inmates said that will help them to be self-reliant by fending for themselves, in an address presented by their welfare officer, Mrs. Cecelia Igbokwe, when Bina Foundation, an Enugu-based Non-Governmental Organization, which cares for people with special needs in collaboration with other groups joined them to mark the special day at their base camp within the Oji River Leprosy Settlement.
Mrs. Igbokwe lamented that the increasing population of the inmates with their families at the centre required internal mechanisms and arrangements that will help them sustain themselves.
She disclosed that many of them have acquired skills that could enable them operate some micro enterprises.
She said that they have a professionally trained fish farmer who can train many other people within the settlement, once they raised funds to start the fish farming business.
However, one of the medical directors in charge of dispensing drugs to the inmates, Mr Omenke Emmanuel, explained that there were no longer leprosy patients within the Oji River leprosy settlement. He noted that those of them still living within the settlement were better described as ‘Pals’, whose major problem was the after effect of stigmatization attached to them by the larger society. He said that the gross implication of it is that they find it extremely hard to be re-integrated into the society.
Emmanuel explained that “modern science has proved that ‘multi drug therapy is what is used in curing leprosy at the moment within two weeks, once the disease is detected early enough. But whenever the disease is not detected early enough, even though it can still be cured but the cancerous wounds are what eventually become the burden for medical attendants and thereby constitute source of stigmatization to the patient.”
Founder of Bina Foundation, Lady Ifeoma Atuegwu, described the theme of this year’s celebration, “Ending discrimination, stigma and prejudice” as apt, noting that the Oji inmates and other physically challenged persons needed to be catered for, administered with love and embraced by the larger society.
Lady Atuegwu who was represented by Mrs Chioma Chikwnedu on behalf of the management of the foundation, donated some crutches, branded T- Shirts, and other items as part of their contribution for the upkeep of the inmates.
Chairman of the inmates, thanked the foundation for the kind gesture and prayed God to reward the promoters of the foundation; Sir Chris Atuegwu and wife; Lady Ifeoma.
The 2019 World Leprosy Day celebrations in Enugu also featured sing songs and drama presentation by children of the inmates, while their wives performed cultural dance.
The event was climaxed with a prayer session organized by the Diocese of Oji River (Anglican Communion) while there was enough refreshment provided by the Archbishop Emeritus, Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Dr Amos Madu, who is also the Bishop of Oji River Diocese.
