As the world commemorates the 2024 World Leprosy Day, Akwa Ibom State Government has decried stigmatisation of Leprosy patients even as it pledges to increase support for leprosy hospital in the state.

Additionally, the government said it would continue to empower inmates of the hospital towards providing them with means of livelihood and giving them their due dignity as God’s creation.
The Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, made this position known, over the weekend, during the celebration of the 2024 World Leprosy Day, held at Qua Iboe Church Leprosy Hospital Chapel in Ekpene Obom, Etinan Council.

Ememobong, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, averred that issues of Leprosy patients and the hospital facility are not taken with levity by the state government as a whole and by him as an individual, hence the government’s presence at the event. He emphasieed that Leprosy patients could never be pushed aside or abandoned.

The state information helmsman lauded the theme for this year’s celebration- “End Stigma, Embrace Dignity”, noting that leprosy patients deserve love, care and other privileges as other creations of God and cautioned the public against stigmatisation of this category of individuals as well as all other People Living with Disabilities.

Represented by the Director of Public Relations in the Ministry, Mrs Grace Akpan, Ememobong placed on record that his passion for leprosy patients made him to extend empowerment to the inmates of the Leprosy Hospital some time back and had to come again this year to present a purse towards the welfare of the inmates.

He expressed appreciation to the Management and Board of Qua Iboe Church Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obom for the great work of humanity and urged all public spirited individuals to support the growth of the facility and upkeep of inmates.

Earlier the Chief Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Charles Ekanem, and the hospital’s board Chairman, Dr Okon J. Emah, in their separate remarks listed the challenges of the facility to include: poor Security network, paucity of funds, inadequate, partnership by relevant agencies and unconducive environment.

While thanking the guests for turning up for the World Leprosy Day celebration, they urged them and other public spirited individuals to donate generously towards the upkeep of the facility and the welfare of inmates.

Speaking at the occasion, the Transition Caretaker Committee Chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Uko Umoh, who donated handsomely towards the growth of the facility, pledged to look into the security challenges of the hospital.

Goodwill messages and donations were presented by the member representing Etinan in the State House of Assembly, Uduak Ekpo-ufot, SA to the Governor on People Living with Disabilities, Comrade Ubong Imo Ikpe, the Chairman, Qua Iboe Church, Uyo Township, Elder (Engr) Enoh Ekpoh, the World Health Organization, WHO as well as the representatives of the Commissioners for Health and Women Affairs
Present at the event, which featured drama sketches by inmates of the Leprosy Hospital were the Leadership of Qua Iboe Church National Conference, NGOs and the Village Head of Edemekpat, Eteidung Emmanuel Dominic Eboh, among others.