Appeal to Calida: Stop using ‘leper’ as negative metaphor

We, the officers and members of the Coalition of Leprosy Advocates of the Philippines (CLAP) Inc., together with the Philippine Dermatological Society, would like to call the attention of our good Solicitor General Jose Calida and all other individuals in our society to restrain from, or as much as possible avoid, using the word “leper” as a metaphor for being isolated, condemned, or an outcast.

This is in reference to the use of the word in the solicitor general’s oral argument in the Supreme Court in defense of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (“PH will get treated like a leper without anti-terror law — Calida,” 4/27/21).

May we inform everyone that the misuse of the word “leper” is very discriminatory and hurtful to persons with or affected by leprosy, and their families. For decades, enormous efforts and resources have been allocated by our government and other stakeholders to find a cure and eventually eradicate leprosy in our country and worldwide. Leprosy stigma reduction has been one of our important goals, as this affects early detection and the treatment compliance of patients. Thankfully, with multi-drug therapy, leprosy is curable.

But what is hard to cure is the stigma associated with the disease. Stigma affects the core being of a person with or affected by leprosy. It is in this context that we call the attention of the solicitor general and all individuals in our society to join us in our cause to lessen the impact of leprosy on affected persons. Please, let us stop using “leper” as a negative metaphor for being isolated, condemned, or an outcast, which reinstates the stigma that we have been trying to erase. Let us all join hands in sending a message of hope to everyone that leprosy should not be a dreaded disease, because it is curable.

FRANCISCO D. ONDE
Chair, Board of Trustee
Coalition of Leprosy Advocates of the Philippines Inc.

ABELAINE VENIDA-TABLIZO, MD, FPDS
Head
Leprosy Subspecialty Interest Group
Philippine Dermatological Society