Leprosy Can be Cured

Leprosy : the cure

• SET
  • Early detection of the disease is essential in order to avoid permanent nerve damage and deformities - Survey of the population;
  • Awareness of the facts, the signs and cure for leprosy amongst the population – Education;
  • Multiple Drug Therapy - MDT - a combination of the anti-leprosy drugs rifampicin, clofazimine and dapsone - Treatment of the disease.
• Physical rehabilitation of patients who have developed deformities/disabilities – Rehabilitation.

MAITRI Leprosy Centre : performance indicators and results

• MAITRI has registered 10,226 cases of leprosy since 1989.
• MAITRI has cured 9,169 patients of leprosy since 1989.
• MAITRI has personally followed up 1,319 high risk cases and 1,060 disabled patients for self-care.
• MAITRI has carried out the training of 392 government staff members for the prevention of deformities.
• MAITRI has carried out the training of 668 disabled patients for self-care and 1,123 community members for self-care and prevention of deformities.
• MAITRI has distributed 1,191 pairs of special footwear to leprosy patients with anaesthetic feet and 30 pairs of goggles to lagophthalmos cases.
• MAITRI has covered 1,255 villages and contacted 964,834 people in the carrying-out of the IEC programme.
• MAITRI 's Physical Rehabilitation programme has rehabilitated 48 leprosy patients to date.
• MAITRI has successfully maintained a day clinic with physiotherapy and offices.
• MAITRI's Hospital has successfully taken care of and treated 366 patients for ulcers and severe reactions since it opened in 1999.
• MAITRI has constructed a Shelter for disabled and homeless patients, which was opened in March, 2002 and has taken care of 14 people. At present it accommodates 5 patients.

MAITRI Leprosy Centre : the road ahead

• The number of undetected and unregistered cases of leprosy in Gaya District is estimated to be approximately 5,000 to 8,000.
• The number of patients at risk to develop deformities in the whole of Gaya District (3,152 villages with population 3,972,882) assigned to MAITRI is estimated to be approximately over 16,000.
• World Leprosy Day – 30th January 2005.
• With your support leprosy can be completely eradicated from Gaya District.
• With your support thousands of hansenians can be saved from crippling deformities. or rehabilitated in all of Gaya District (24 provinces, 19 PHCs).