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The 70th World Leprosy Day is being marked today by organizing different programs under the theme of “Act Now. End Leprosy”. The World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of January every year. Since 1954, this day is being observed all around the world in order to raise awareness about leprosy. Despite the fact that Nepal was declared leprosy-free in 2010, new cases continue to emerge, mostly in the Tarai districts. According to government figures, Nepal witnessed a total of 2,285 new patients of leprosy in the fiscal year 2079/080. Leprosy is not a disease that is passed down through the generations. However, doctors say that if someone is seen with leprosy disease in the family or community, the chances of seeing it in others are high. As per the government data, there are a total of 910 cases of leprosy in Madhes Province, which is around 40 percent of the total cases of the leprosy recorded in the country. Surprisingly, Saptari district in Madhes province has no leprosy cases. Likewise, 581 in Lumbini, 345 in Province 1, 205 in Sudurpaschim and 68 cases of leprosy are confirmed reported in Karnali province. The number of leprosy patients is less in Gandaki and Bagmati provinces compared to other provinces. In Nepal, 16 districts have recorded higher cases of leprosy. The districts include Jhapa, Morang, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Parasi, Rupandehi, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, Kanchanpur and Achham. Starting its operation in Nepal in 1975, NLR Nepal is involved in leprosy, disabilities and inclusive development in the districts of Mahottari and Dhanusha of Madhes province. The organization distributes medicines and conducts preventive measures in those districts. Likewise, the Madhes Province Government has also upped its activities for the treatment and prevention of leprosy, as more cases were reported there. The Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital and Service Centre is offering services to those needy ones under the auspices of Nepal Leprosy Trust. Health Division Chief of Social Development Ministry of Madhes Province, Dr Mukti Narayan Shah, said that leprosy camp would be conducted in every single month in each district of the province to diagnose and cure the leprosy. The Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital and Service Centre is offering treatment to as high as 400 patients of skin and leprosy in every single day.

A total of 30 persons got injured in a stampede at Dhankuta stadium on Saturday. Of them, 18 persons are receiving treatment in BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) in Dharan, according to Superintendent of Police (SP) Laxmi Raj Adhikari. It is stated that two children have been referred to Golden Hospital in Biratnagar from BPKIHS. SP Adhiakri said that 12 persons have returned home after general treatment in Dhankuta Hospital. The health condition of all patients receiving treatment in Biratnagar and Dharan is improving. The injured have been identified as Bishnu Rai (31) and her six-year-old son Abihang, Binita Limbu (30), Sabin Limbu (13), Sunil Limbu (11), Shreya Katawal (12), Prakat Shrestha, Hira Rana (36), Ayusha Rai (30), Prakash Pradhan (50), and 12-year-old Pravesh Rai of Dhankuta. Likewise, Goma Karki (45), Anisha Rai (23), Narayan Rai (42), Buddhi Maya Limbu (34), Sabin Poudel (18), and Sandip Shah (4)2, are also injured in the stampede. Identity of a child of around four years is yet to be ascertained. Acting Chief District Officer of Dhankuta Mamata Adhikari said that an all-side meeting is summoned to postpone the Dhankuta festival in view of security issues. The stampede took place in a crowd among the locals who rushed to attend a live concert of popular singer Pramod Kharel in the provincial industrial and agriculture fair and avocado festival.

Squatters have staged a sit-in in New Baneshwor on Friday demanding their proper management. They staged the sit-in in the Baneshwor area under the leadership of Samyukta Sukumbasi Rastriya Morcha. They have demanded that they be provided with land ownership certificates as per the Land Act, withdraw false cases and stop dozer terror among others.

Impact-based power producer and investment manager, Bizbell become first Nepali members of the International Hydropower Association (IHA). As a responsible investor, Bizbell’s mission is to connect investors seeking stable returns while expanding renewable energy access to communities around Nepal. Founded by a group of experienced entrepreneurs, planners and researchers in 2014, Bizbell has a team of highly experienced professionals in the clean energy sector. Bizbell has a renewable energy portfolio of 1000 MW and offers impact-based return on investment. Focused on driving change for a sustainable world while engaging in the community by developing 70MW of hydropower in the remote, western part of Nepal, Bizbell is creating jobs and engaging in the micro economy of their community. This includes over 15 subsidiary companies and joint ventures. IHA Deputy CEO, Pablo Valverde commented: “Make no mistake about it, sustainable hydropower will be key for Asia’s continued growth and independence from carbon. We need more companies like Bizbell, our first member from Nepal, who not only share our mission to promote sustainable hydropower but actively work to propel it forward in the region.” The Nepalese are no strangers to the world of hydropower, with impressive national research centers like the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Hydro Lab. Nepal is at the forefront of the movement towards renewable energy in South Asia. The International Energy Agency published a report indicating that hydropower accounts for 14.5% of total electricity generation in South and Southeast Asia, and in Nepal, hydropower accounts for over 90%. The installed hydropower capacity is expected to grow further to meet the region’s growing electricity demand and electricity export opportunities, and to maximise the merits of a cost-effective and flexible low-carbon power source. Co-founder of Bizbell, Sushil Pokharel says: “As Nepal is considered to be the fourth most vulnerable country on the planet due to the harmful effects of climate change, it's our priority to strike the right balance between sustainability and economic development. We need a holistic approach to protect our natural resources for future generations and sustainable hydropower projects are great examples of how we can do this. I strongly believe that environmental and social risks should factor in all stages of hydropower project development, and we are committed to sustainable hydropower.”