Statement by India on Agenda 3: Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the SR on health and the SR on Leprosy in the 41stSession of the Human Rights Council ( 24 June – 12 July 2019), delivered by Mr. Vimarsh Aryan, First Secretary,
Permanent Mission of India, (Geneva, 24th June 2019)
Thank you Mr. President,
India thanks both the Special Rapporteurs for their presentations.
2. On the issues of leprosy, we note the concerns that women and children affected by it are structurally more discriminated against due to patriarchal biomedicine system, institutional discriminatory laws, harmful traditional beliefs, low social status and subordinate position, illiteracy particularly about leprosy. Other concerns as rightly pointed out are obstacles in accessing health care due lack of complementary health services, poverty, lack of health education as well as discrimination in employment, leprosy as a cause for divorce and segregation among others.
Mr. President,
3. We are committed to both eradication of leprosy by 2020 as well as de-stigmatization and elimination of discrimination faced by persons and affected families. For this, India has launched a widespread leprosy case detection campaign a few years back under the National Leprosy Elimination Programme. In order to tackle high endemicity in a few pockets, a three pronged strategy such as Leprosy Case Detection Campaign for High Endemic Districts, Focused Leprosy Campaign for Hot Spots and Case Detection in Hard to Reach areas are being implemented.
Mr. President,
4. On the issues of mental health, we note the need for assessment on determinants that enable individuals and populations to live a life of dignity. India has adopted the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 which is a rights based statutory framework for mental health and decriminalizing suicide. The Act envisages promoting rights of persons with mental illness through active participation of all stakeholders in decision making. This is in addition to the National Mental Health Programme which focuses on the community based care and promoting community participation in mental health development. The overall efforts of the States in ensuring enjoyment of all rights and dignity is key to mental well being of all the persons.
Thank you, Mr. President
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