Q & A: We Need a Holistic Approach to Eradicate Leprosy

Dr Maria Francia Laxamana, the Assistant Secretary in the Philippines Ministry of Health, eels strongly about the social exclusion and stigma experienced by the leprosy patients and is eager to make a notable change in the way the society perceives leprosy and those who live with it. Credit: Stella Paul/IPSBy Stella PaulMANILA, Mar 3 2019 (IPS)Dr. Maria Francia Laxamana is the Assistant Secretary in the Philippines ministry of health. With nearly two decades of  work both as a senior government official and also as an expert in several non-government organisations, Laxamana has deep insight into the issue of leprosy in this Southeast Asian nation and the challenges faced by those who are affected by the disease.She feels strongly about the social exclusion and stigma experienced by the leprosy patients and is eager to make a notable change in the way the society perceives leprosy and those who live with it.On the sidelines of the ongoing  Regional Assembly of Organisations of People Affected by Leprosy in Asia in Manila, Laxamana tells IPS how a new, holistic approach is needed to eradicate leprosy  and  improve the quality of life for all leprosy patients.The three-day event was organised by the Philippine government-run Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital (CSGH), the Coalition of Leprosy Advocate of the Philippines, and the Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation (SMHF). SMHF and its parent organisation the Nippon Foundation (TNF). Chairman of TNF and the World Health Or...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Active Citizens Aid Asia-Pacific Civil Society Conferences Development & Aid Editors' Choice Featured Headlines Health Human Rights Regional Categories TerraViva United Nations leprosy Nippon Foundation Philippines Sasakawa Source Type: news