Benue raises alarm over leprosy attack

By Peter Duru

MAKURDI – THE Benue State government has raised an alarm over what it described as the high level of leprosy infestation in the state affecting over 5,000 natives.

This assertion was made by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr. Bem Meladu, while briefing newsmen at the end of the State Executive Council meeting in Makurdi.

Meladu said government had decided to check the spread of the disease by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Netherlands who would provide the necessary support in its quest to rid the state of the infection.

According to him, the state government has paid N40 million counterpart fund as contained in the MoU it entered with the government of Netherlands which provides for far-reaching assistance from that government.

According to the Commissioner, “this is in furtherance of the government’s determination to ensure that the people of the state are availed all necessary healthcare facilities and services devoid of encumbrances.”

He urged all those infected with the disease to take advantage of the new window of opportunity provided by the government to seek cure.

Meladu further advised the people of the state to desist from stigmatising the leprous, saying the disease is curable, advising the afflicted to desist from concealing the condition.