International leprosy Day
The World Leprosy Day is observed on every last Sunday of January. This year, in 2024, World Leprosy Day was on the 28th of January. This international day is an opportunity to commemorate people who have experienced leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease; raise awareness of the disease; and call for an end to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination.
Although World Leprosy Day was observed on the on the 28th of January 2024, the Career Guidance Unit (CGU) of Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo in collaboration with Students’ Committee of the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, organized a special event to observe International Leprosy Day at National Ayurvedic Teaching Hospital, Borella on 07th February 2024. The event aimed to honor individuals who have experienced leprosy, raise awareness about the disease among the public and healthcare professionals, and advocate for an end to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination.
Details of the event:
Theme: “Beat Leprosy”
Activities: Street Drama
Date: 07th February 2024.
Time: 9.30am onwards.
Venue: National Ayurvedic Teaching Hospital – Borella.
Theme concept: Dr. R.H.S.K. Silva, Coordinator, CGU, FIM.
Event coordinators:
- Dr. (Mrs.) P.A.S.N. Silva
- Dr. M.M.M. Nifras
Directing and Script: K.M. Janz (2017/2018 BAMS)
Role Play:
- M. Jansz (2017/2018 BAMS)
- L.D.P.S. Shashikala (2017/2018 BAMS)
- I.P.Madusanka (2017/2018 BAMS)
- I.N Senanayake (2019/2020 BAMS)
- M. Dhammika Bandara (2019/2020 BAMS)
- S.P Senasinghe (2019/2020 BAMS)
- T.D Fernando (2019/2020 BAMS)
- A.M.P Karunasena (2019/2020 BAMS)
- M.K.C.S Jayasundara (2019/2020 BAMS)
- A.F. Lareefa (2017/2018 BUMS)
- Asra (2017/2018 BUMS)
Student coordinator: Shehara Kaluarachchi
Costume designing: K.M. Jansz
Video and photos: Dilhan Jayathilaka
Acknowledgement: The success of the World Leprosy Day observance would not have been possible without the dedication and support of all the participants, including Professor Pathirage Kamal Perera, Dean of the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, Director and CMO of the National Ayurvedic Teaching Hospital, Borella, Heads of the Departments, Coordinator and Academic Staff Members of CGU, Event Coordinators, Students’ Committee-FIM, and Public. Their commitment to promoting awareness and combating stigma deserves commendation.
