WHO says 200,000 cases of leprosy reported each year

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that nearly 200,000 cases of leprosy are reported each year, media reported Friday.
A WHO official told the India press service Press Trust of India (PTI) that the "discrimination, stigma and stigma" badociated with leprosy were the main obstacles to fighting the disease.
WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, Poonam Khetrapal Singh, also said that almost half of the cases reported in one year came from India.
Singh said the number of leprosy cases worldwide has "steadily decreased" but "about 200,000 cases continue to be reported each year".
In its fight against the disease, India has repealed two archaic laws, one discriminating against people with leprosy and another allowing it as a legitimate ground for divorce.
«Significant figures [of leprosy victims] are detected in the region of Southeast Asia, Brazil, sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific, "said Singh.
"Discrimination related to leprosy, stigma and prejudice are the main obstacles to the definitive eradication of leprosy, especially since the disease can be cured at 100% when it is detected." early, "he added.
To reduce the incidence and spread of leprosy, the WHO official said the biosocial components of the disease should be highlighted.