the cleric alerted Nigerians who slam pastors to desist or face penalties such as leprosy.A rejoinder by PHIN, which is supported by the German Leprosy Relief Association (GLRA), condemned the”inequitable remarks “. The body informed Oyedepo that leprosy, also known as Hansen’s illness, is not what need to be utilized as a threat or curse.Caroline Cassard of Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy, at The Task Force for Global Health, sent an open letter to DAILY POST.The letter recommended Oyedepo to talk about how to deal with the damage done to the Hansen’s illness community, both in Nigeria and globally.It reads: “As a Nigerian organization of people who have experienced Hansen’s disease, we are upset to check out media reports where you claim that insulting a prophet can trigger leprosy. These statements are unreliable and more stigmatize.” More than 200,000 individuals are detected with Hansen’s illness each year, and there are believed to be more than two million people impacted by Hansen’s disease who are neglected and undiagnosed.”Negative social attitudes towards individuals who have experienced Hansen’s illness develop a severe barrier to treatment and prevent worldwide efforts to disrupt the transmission of the illness.”Hansen’s disease is caused by bacteria and is treatable with an antibiotic program called multi-drug treatment. Hansen’s illness is not genetic, and it is not a curse.”However, individuals affected by this illness are still marginalized and excluded from communities around the world. They are isolated by pals and families.

They lose their jobs, marital relationships, residential or commercial property, and experience human rights violations.”People who have actually experienced Hansen’s disease deserve to live decent and dignified lives. Their medical diagnosis must not define them, and they need to not be excluded from their communities.”The letter denounced the misuse of leprosy as a metaphor, advising public figures, consisting of spiritual leaders, of their duty to regard millions of people affected.It said even if Oyedepo did not plan to discriminate against those who have experienced the health condition, his words have adversely affected”our efforts and our presence”. PHIN prompted him to join the fight against the disease as well as the overall removal of all types of stigmatization and discrimination against the victims. ToriNG