Leprosy patients need more help

More efforts should be made to eradicate leprosy and treat those suffering from the disease, despite it having been brought under control in the country, a leprosy expert said yesterday.

Pan Chunzhi, sectary-general of the China Leprosy Association, was speaking ahead of World Leprosy Day, which falls on Monday.

Leprosy, or Hansen's disease, is a chronic infectious disease that when left untreated can cause permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes - with skin lesions being the primary external symptom.