Leprosy Patients: CERAC Shows Compassion

Visible joy and appreciation could be seen on the faces of the beneficiary, leprosy patients. The Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC) came with good tidings, commemorating the 73th World Leprosy Day for 2026 in their presence. Ladies of the humanitarian association brought medical and household equipment as well as food stuff to the leprosy patients (both treated and those still affected). At least, for a while, the affected will have something to eat as bags of rice, salt, beans and groundnuts, cartoons of vegetable oil and smoked fish, water and juice, not forgetting cleaning materials like buckets, brooms with handles, rakes and rags, that were also handed to the people. This year’s edition is commemorated under the theme, “Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma,” with the CERAC ladies, through its Founding President, Chantal Biya out to show prove of inclusion and compassion to leprosy patients so that they can benefit from equal opportunities in the society. The General Coordinator of CERAC, Dr. Grace Dion Ngute led the CERAC delegation and insisted on the fact that it is time to break the chains of stigma around leprosy patients, and build a society where compassion and acceptance prevail. “Together, we can change the narrative on leprosy and guarantee every person affected by the disease a fulfilling life and a sense of belonging to society,” she stated. Scientific, pharmaceutical and medical evolution, Dr. Grace Dion Ngute noted, has led to a significant reduction of lepers in the community. Through the donation, she said they are building bridges of their assistance in the society and have constantly made an effort to commune with leprosy patients every year given the fact that it has been observed that this group of people are always isolated and neglected in their communities. Dr. Grace Dion Ngute added that they are equally working at creating a future where leprosy is treated as a disease that is curable, especially when detected early enough. To her, education plays a major role in deconstructing myths around leprosy and better understanding the causes, hence treatment. Indeed, leprosy is a disease that cau...