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World Leprosy Day
January 30, 2008 at 3:54 PM
General Health News
Messala: Look for them in the Valley of the Lepers, if you can recognize them.
Judah: I have just come from the Valley of Stone. My mother and sister live what's left of their lives. By Rome's will, lepers, outcasts without hope...
- Ben-Hur (the movie, 1959)
On the fourth Sunday of each January, many pause to ponder on the scourge, that once haunted the world and, which continues to exist unshackled in certain parts of the globe - leprosy. The day was set apart in honor of a Belgian priest, Father Damien, who gave his life ministering to the shunned lepers of Molokai, a Hawaiian Island.
Though eradicated in many nations, this neglected, tropical disease is still prevalent in several countries such as India, Mozambique, Brazil, Angola, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Nepal, Tanzania and China.
The Disease
Leprosy, or Hansens disease, is one of the oldest recorded diseases in the world. It is a chronic, infectious ailment which targets the nervous system, particularly the nerves of the hands, feet and face.
Leprosy is caused by the bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae, which is similar to the one causing tuberculosis. The disease spreads mainly through air-borne bacteria, expelled from an infected person or through long-term contact with an infected individual.
Other potential sources of Mycobacterium leprae include soil, bedbugs and mosquitoes.
Symptoms
It is an established fact that about 95 percent of people who are exposed to Mycobacterium leprae do not develop leprosy. This is because their immune system fights off the infection.
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Uthpala.Amarasinghe(Guest)
01/19/2011
Our hospital for leprosy is a historical milestone in public health. It was built in 1708. Still not named as a heritage to preserve. Although new patients are not admitted now, since there are 45 old patients with disabilities hospital should give them the tender loving care... Having life stories of negligence, fear and stigma, most have pretty photos of their youth. They say they had died on the day when they were diagnosed and heard they had leprosy.
There is a temple and a church in the hospital premises.This is a small health village but not paid a proper attention to preserve. The smallest [Ballet] polling station is in this leprosy hospital. It is adjacent to the river and they get a relaxing environment for rehabilitate the mind and bodily weakness. Most rare cats and pet dogs. They are part of their beating hearts.Some wanted to go out and worship Lord Buddha.
They have their own workshop repairing bicycles, wheelchairs and preparing the shoes for disabled by them.Its amazing to see nice curvatures of furniture made by them with the movements of half preserved fingers and disabled palms after complications of leprosy.You may feel ashamed of your both hands with all fingers intact.
Now they are living happily and peacefully under government health care ,but still their family members reject them......They are not taken to their homes. So you can see how the stigma still persists even after decades of elimination.....in Sri Lanka. This hospital has the footprints of public health development of my country and urgent attention should be paid to preserve the center as a museum.
Dr Uthpala Amarasinghe (MBBS.MSc.MD), Community Medical Officer , Ministry of Health Sri Lanka. 94716843332
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