look news india
Lucknow, 02 August (HS). In Uttar Pradesh, financial assistance is being provided by the state government to people who have become disabled due to leprosy. Under this, the state government is providing three thousand rupees per month as leprosy pension to more than 12 thousand people who have become disabled due to leprosy. Not only this, under the National Leprosy Eradication Program run under the National Health Mission, Uttar Pradesh, 12 thousand rupees are also being provided as loss of wages during free reconstructive surgery to the people suffering from leprosy-induced disability.
It is worth mentioning that leprosy is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. It mainly affects the skin, nerves, respiratory tract and eyes. If this disease is not treated on time, it can cause permanent disability.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Empowerment of Disabled Narendra Kashyap told on Friday that leprosy pension is provided to leprosy affected persons at the rate of Rs. 3,000 per month per beneficiary. At present, a total of 12361 leprosy affected disabled persons of the state are being benefited under the Leprosy Pension Scheme. Not only this, under the National Leprosy Eradication Program under the National Health Mission, Uttar Pradesh, run by the Medical and Health Department, Rs. 12,000 are being provided to the persons suffering from leprosy caused disability as loss of wages during free reconstructive surgery.
He informed that such disabled persons who have become disabled due to leprosy and whose income is within the poverty line, are natives of Uttar Pradesh, belong to any age group and are not receiving benefit of any other pension run by the government, are entitled for leprosy pension at the rate of Rs. 3,000 per month per beneficiary.
He clarified that the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities benefits people with disabilities caused by leprosy, not leprosy patients. People who have become disabled due to leprosy are given lifelong leprosy pension as a means of livelihood. Also, free travel facility is being provided to the disabled in the buses of Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation.
He informed that under the National Leprosy Eradication Program, Uttar Pradesh, operated under the National Health Mission, Uttar Pradesh, run by the Department of Medical and Health, a total of 9162 leprosy patients are registered in the state till June 2024, who are undergoing treatment. He also clarified that leprosy patients are not registered by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. At the same time, disability certificate is issued by the Chief Medical Officer to the patients who have become disabled due to leprosy.