KATHMANDU: In his speech at the inauguration of the International Leprosy Conference in Kathmandu on Thursday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli spoke about his personal health struggles and the current status of leprosy control in Nepal.

Oli revealed that his kidney failure was a result of excessive painkiller use. He explained that his health began to decline due to tuberculosis and ulcers, which were aggravated by poor nutrition and a lack of proper medication.

I had tuberculosis and ulcers. The pain was unbearable, my stomach was full of wounds, burning constantly. Blood would ooze from the wounds, and I was given painkillers. What else would happen if you keep taking painkillers? My kidney failure was caused by painkillers,” he shared.

Oli, who has undergone a second kidney transplant, urged the public to prioritize their health and take preventive measures. In the same address, during the Oli also addressed the status of leprosy in Nepal.

He stated, “It cannot be said that the situation of leprosy in Nepal is extremely alarming because, according to World Health Organization standards, leprosy is under control at the national level, with fewer than one case per 10,000 people.”

However, he noted that while leprosy is under control, it has not been eradicated, particularly in the Madhes, Lumbini, and Koshi provinces. Oli stressed the importance of continued efforts to completely eliminate the disease.