Republic of the Philippines - Stamps & Postal History

RP Issues of 2016

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2016, February 15.  Leprosy Prevention & Control Week

Litho Offset, Amstar Company, Inc.,  Perf 14

Singles,  Sheets of  40

                    

 

15p  Leprosy Health Service Center - Singles  (101,000) 

 

 

First Day Covers:  Manila

  

            

 


 

Leprosy Prevention and Control Week - February 15, 2016 to February 21, 2016

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 467, the third week of February of every year has been declared as Leprosy Prevention and Control Week.  The observance aims to deepen public awareness on the disease, its prevention, and treatment.

To observe this occasion, the Philippine Leprosy Mission will promote the importance of skin health and encourage the public with skin problems to consult their local health centers.

According to World Health Organization Leprosy is a chronic disease transmitted by air through droplets from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases.

According to Philippine Dermatological Society "The stigma against leprosy has been one of the most persistent and pervasive forms of social injustice that society has forced upon its fellow human. The psychological impact to the affected person gives a much more crippling disability than the disease itself. Despite the existence of a cure, the stigma attached to the disease remains deep-rooted, forcing the inflicted individual to hide, to deny that they have the disease and some to even end their lives.”

There are several beliefs regarding this disease especially among Filipinos. The observance of this occasion is important and necessary because of the stigma that this caused the Filipinos. This disease is known to be very scary because of the skin appearance of the victim. There are places actually in the country which were designated exclusively for the people with this rare disease like the one in Palawan.

There are several organizations that are helping the victims of this disease. What is important is for the public to be educated and informed of what is the real score of this disease. Although this is curable, the psychological effect of this is more traumatic than the disease itself for the patient. With this celebration, the Filipinos are expected to be more aware of the disease.

 

TOPICAL CATEGORIES

 

  • Medical / Health

 

Articles by Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak

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Issues of 2016