Vice President confers International Gandhi Award for Leprosy, 2021

New Delhi: Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday conferred the International Gandhi Award for Leprosy, 2021 to Dr. Bhushan Kumar of Chandigarh and Sahyog Kushtha Yagna Trust, Gujarat at a function in New Delhi. The annual award was instituted by Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation. 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Naidu lauded the efforts of the recipients and said that both Dr. Bhushan Kumar and Sahyog Kushtha Yagna Trust have been working diligently to raise awareness about leprosy and in providing care to those afflicted with it.  

The Vice President also called for intensified



efforts for early detection of leprosy cases, equitable access to appropriate treatment and integrated leprosy services. Mr. Naidu urged the people and civil society organizations to join the campaign to eradicate leprosy. He said, there should be social mobilization in support of this noble cause. He also wanted Gram Sabhas to include leprosy eradication in their programmes.

Acknowledging India’s steady fight against leprosy, Mr. Naidu said that India successfully accomplished levels of leprosy eradication defined as less than one case per ten thousand population.