St Peter’s Vestry has decided that our Lent Appeal this year should be for The Leprosy Mission. Bishop Donald Allister has been a long-time supporter of the Mission, and writes here about the work, and a visit he made to Bangladesh in 2020. (See also: https://www.leprosymission.org.uk/)
There are many misunderstandings about leprosy. Here are the most common:
It was just a disease of Bible times
In fact, a new case is diagnosed every two minutes, now in the twenty-first century.
Leprosy is only seen in third-world countries
Yes, most cases are seen in India. Perhaps surprisingly, Brazil comes second, and Indonesia third. Leprosy is also a major problem in Bangladesh, and in parts of Africa. It is also seen in the southern United States, especially Florida, and occasionally in Britain (currently over 20 cases, mainly among people from countries where it is endemic).
It isn’t a Scottish disease
In the middle ages, Scotland had many leprosy sufferers and a number of areas set aside for them. The name of Liberton probably derives from “leper town”.
Leprosy is a disease of the poor
Yes, but … King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem 1174-1185 suffered from leprosy. So it seems did Robert Bruce, King of Scots 1306-1329.
It is highly infectious
Leprosy has always been feared, but can only be caught from prolonged close proximity to a sufferer.
Leprosy patients have to be isolated – hence the idea of “leper colonies”.
People with leprosy can live with their families and go to work, provided basis safeguards are followed.
Leprosy is incurable
Since the 1980s there has been a multi-drug treatment, given as a six-month course, which completely cures the disease.
Treatment is expensive
The World Health Organisation provides the drugs free of charge for use by the Leprosy Mission and other agencies.
Leprosy is a killer
Not so: leprosy bacteria damage the nerves, so that the sufferer loses the sense of touch and pain. This means that minor injuries are not noticed or dealt with, leading to serious infections and permanent disfigurement, most obviously on the hands, feet, and face. Even for those cured by modern drug treatment, amputations or major reconstructive surgery may be necessary unless the disease has been caught and treated early.
Leprosy means you have to live apart from others
The problem isn’t that leprosy is highly contagious, or deadly. The problem across the countries where it is endemic is the social stigma. Fear of leprosy causes sufferers to be shunned, driven out of their families, communities and workplaces. Education is as important as treatment.
Leprosy should have been eradicated by now
Yes, absolutely. That is one of the aims of The Leprosy Mission. But, for various reasons leprosy hasn’t attracted the major funding or government support that is needed. The Leprosy Mission GB, alongside its partner Missions in the USA and a few western European countries, are funded by Christian giving, and more recently with drugs from the WHO and some limited support from the UK Government out of its decreasing International Development aid budget.
The Leprosy Mission GB runs the only research and treatment centres, the only outreach programmes to detect leprosy early, the only leprosy hospitals (stigma means that leprosy patients are not treated in government hospitals), and the only rehabilitation programmes for cured leprosy sufferers, in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. It does great work, and fully deserves our generous support.
Donald Allister at an outdoor skin clinic in the slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Leprosy Mission doctor has just diagnosed the lesion on this young man’s arm as an early sign of leprosy, and is about to arrange the six-month course of drug treatment which will cure him. Top left is part of the long queue of men waiting to be seen. Top centre is part of the women’s queue to see a woman doctor or specialist nurse. Segregation may seem odd to us, but in a mainly Muslim country it is an important way to help overcome people’s reluctance to be seen. Also, advertising events like these as “skin clinics” help to avoid the stigma of leprosy: other skin conditions are seen and treated too. Note that the doctor (and Donald) are not wearing gloves or masks which might frighten patients. Use of the gel handwash seen on the table after seeing each patient is enough to keep them safe.
A more famous supporter: Princess Diana at the Leprosy Mission’s hospital in Northern India, March 1993.