Today is World Water Day! A day to celebrate water—our ultimate MVP—and reflect on how we can use it more sustainably.
Think about it: Water fuels life. We drink it, cook with it, bathe in it, grow food with it, clean with it, cool down with it, even sail on it. It’s easy to take for granted, but without it, life as we know it wouldn’t exist.
For people affected by leprosy, water is more than just essential—it’s a lifeline. And not for spa days or bubble baths, but for self-care in the truest sense: self-health-care.
The Connection Between Water and Leprosy
Leprosy is a disease that primarily affects people in areas where poverty limits access to clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and accurate health information. The bacteria that cause leprosy don’t discriminate based on wealth or status—but the risk of transmission increases significantly in environments where basic resources are scarce.
Without access to clean water, simple wound care becomes a challenge. People affected by leprosy often experience nerve damage that leads to injuries, ulcers, and infections. But with safe water, they can properly clean and care for their wounds—reducing the risk of further complications and promoting healing.
The Leprosy Mission and WASH
That’s why The Leprosy Mission prioritises Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs. We work alongside partners to ensure that communities affected by leprosy have access to safe water and sanitation—empowering them to take control of their health, prevent infections, and live with dignity.
Water doesn’t just quench thirst—it empowers. It plays a crucial role in breaking the cycle of disease and removing barriers that keep people trapped in poverty and stigma.
Cheers to Water!
So today, on World Water Day, we’re raising a metaphorical glass (of water, of course) to this unsung hero. Water is a faithful partner in the fight against leprosy, and a vital force for health, healing, and hope.
