WORLD LEPROSY DAY

That this House acknowledges that World Leprosy Day is on 26 January 2014; welcomes the significant advancements made in leprosy treatment; notes that despite this medical progress, discrimination related to leprosy is still prevalent; records with appreciation the 90th anniversary of Lepra, the world's first leprosy prevention organisation; commends the efforts of this charity in giving leprosy-affected people a voice with which to demand their rights; recognises that neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) including leprosy occur in extreme poverty and cause further extreme poverty and that controlling NTDs is a key component of promoting economic development; and calls on the Government to mark World Leprosy Day by committing the UK to seek maximum multi- and bilateral aid effectiveness in efforts to combat this curable disease and reduce poverty.