They stressed the need for close cooperation between the government and NGO's in tackling the problems of lepers.

The annual national advocacy and promotional seminar of The Leprosy Mission Bangladesh (TLMB) was held at the YWCA Bhaban in the city.

Terming the disease as 'stigma', the speakers said proper health education can create awareness about the disease.

They urged the media to disseminate correct information about leprosy.

Dr Christopher Baroi, project director of TLMB, discussed different aspects of leprosy and said doctors should be consulted whenever the disease is detected.

He said most of the leprosy-attacked people are not aware of the disease they are suffering from, as they feel nothing in their body.

He also said leprosy is a curable disease if it is detected at early stage.

Assaduzzaman Noor, a lawmaker and famous TV personality, stressed the need for proper education to come out of the disease.

"We have a lot of superstitions about the disease due to lack of proper knowledge," he said, adding that proper education is a must in creating awareness in this regard.

Noor said publicity about leprosy is less than that of diarrhoea, polio and Aids.

Rev Martin Adhikary, director of promotion and advocacy of TLMB, called for developing a positive attitude towards the lepers as they are deprived of their social rights.

They are excluded from voter lists, denied entrance to religious places and even public transports, he added.

"We have achieved the target of World Health Organisation (WHO) in eliminating leprosy form the country but some people in northern and hilly areas of the country are still attacked by it," he added.

TLMB Country Director GH Van Der Waal, MBDC Director Dr Tahmina Aziz and Archbishop Paulinus Costa also spoke at the seminar.