- Karnataka rain fury: Photos of flooded streets, uprooted treesCannes 2022: Deepika Padukone stuns at the French Riviera in Sabyasachi outfitRanbir Kapoor And Alia Bhatt's Wedding Pics - Sealed With A KissOscars 2022: Every Academy Award WinnerShane Warne (1969-2022): Australian cricket legend's life in picturesPhotos: What Russia's invasion of Ukraine looks like on the groundLata Mangeshkar (1929-2022): A pictorial tribute to the 'Nightingale of India'PM Modi unveils 216-feet tall Statue of Equality in Hyderabad (PHOTOS)Wedding pics: Mouni Roy marries Suraj Nambiar in South Indian ceremony73rd Republic Day Parade 2022 - In Pictures
World no. 1 Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Y
- Asian Games medallist Jyothi Yarraji to train in Spain ahead of Paris Olympics
- Lione Messi said Retirement not on my mind
- Indian Wells: Alcaraz, Swiatek win titles
- African footballer chased and thrashed away in Kerala; reports
- Hockey India announce core probable group for men's national camp in Bhubaneswar
Spread awareness on curability of leprosy, eliminate discrimination: SC Last Updated : 14 Sep 2018 12:18:55 PM IST Spread awareness on curability of leprosy, eliminate discrimination: SC (File Photo) The Supreme Court on Friday ordered that awareness be spread about the free treatment available for leprosy patients and directed the central and state governments to formulate rehabilitation schemes for those suffering from the disease.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud issued a slew of directions to thecentre and the states and asked them to ensure proper treatment of leprosy patients and end discrimination against them.
It directed that a "massive" awareness campaign be carried out by the government on curability of leprosy, adding that patients "should not be isolated" by the family or community as the person can "lead a normal life".
The bench directed to "end stigma" against leprosy patients and to make sure they get adequate medical care and rehabilitation measures.
It further directed that the Centre and state governments to ensure that both private and government aided schools should not discriminate against children affected by leprosy.
The court also directed that leprosy patients should be given Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards so they can avail Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) scheme, which provides highly subsidised food to the poorest families.
The judgement of the apex court came on a PIL filed by advocate Pankaj Sinha who had alleged that governments have failed to eliminate the disease despite medical treatment available since 1981.
He had claimed that leprosy affects over 1.25 lakh people annually in the country and had sought a direction to the governments that leprosy drugs be made available at primary health centres in the country.
He also pleaded that an appropriate scheme be formulated to bring people suffering from leprosy into the national mainstream.
Earlier, the apex court had asked the Centre to consider framing a law to repeal all laws that discriminate against those suffering from leprosy and granted six weeks to the government for taking a decision on the issue.IANS For Latest Updates Please-
Join us on
Follow us on
172.31.16.186