World Leprosy Day 2026 Observed at Divisional Railway Hospital, Malda

Under the Guidance of DRM/Malda Shri Manish Kumar Gupta, Divisional Railway Hospital, Malda today observed World Leprosy Day 2026, aligning with this year’s global theme—“Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma.”The programme aimed to raise awareness about the disease, highlight the importance of early detection and treatment, and address the deep-rooted social stigma associated with leprosy.

The keynote session was conducted by Prof. (Dr.) R. N. Bhattacharya, Head of the Department,কী⁸8⁸Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata.With 22 years of dedicated work in reconstructive surgery for leprosy-affected patients, Dr. Bhattacharya provided an extensive and insightful presentation on India’s ongoing battle against leprosy. He highlighted that India continues to bear a significant burden of the disease, with West Bengal ranking third in reported cases.

Dr. Bhattacharya emphasised that the major challenge lies not in the treatment—since leprosy is fully curable—but in the social exclusion and rejection faced by affected individuals due to deformities caused by delayed treatment. He noted that reconstructive surgery, complemented by structured physiotherapy, plays a critical role in restoring lost functions and reintegrating patients into mainstream society. He also reflected on Mahatma Gandhi’s lifelong commitment to the welfare and dignity of leprosy-affected people, a vision that remains relevant even today.

The event also featured an interactive session led by Dr. Amitava Mandal, Dy. CMOH-III, Malda, who shared valuable insights with the attending doctors and healthcare providers on public health strategies, early detection, and community-based support for affected individuals.

Senior medical officers including Dr. S. Bose, ACMS/P; Dr. S. Roy, DMO/ENT; Dr. S. Bhatterjee, ACMS,along with nursing and paramedical staff, were present at the programme. Their active participation reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to combating both the medical and social dimensions of leprosy.

The entire programme was লোplanned and conducted under the guidance of Dr. A. Ghosh, CMS/Malda, whose leadership ensured meaningful engagement and awareness-building among the participants.