The Leprosy Mission

Wednesday 27.2.19 Talk by Trevor Grant from the Leprosy Mission.

Trevor gave us a very moving and at times upsetting insight into the plight of those affected by Leprosy.

This highly stigmatised disease still affects at least 200,000 people (and Trevor feels because of stigma and under-reporting may be many more). Leprosy is a long term bacterial infection that can lie dormant for 5-20 years (which give great problems in eliminating it) and then produces pale, pinkish skin patches and numbness. This leads to damage to skin, muscles and bones and all the deformities he showed us.

The disease is transmitted like TB by inhaling droplets from an infected person BUT is actually hard to catch unless there is associated overcrowding and poverty. By far the largest number of new cases are in the two poorest states in India (50%) but 16 countries are still affected. Interesting it can be caught from infected armadillos!

Leprosy can be cheaply (£24 for a whole 6-12 month course) cured and sine 1981 the triple therapy advised by WHO is being widely used.

The Leprosy Mission is an international Christian charity working towards the eradication of the causes and consequences of Leprosy. It was founded in 1894 and now runs projects in 11 countries and as part of a global family working in 30 countries. Trevor showed us some of the great work they are doing in Hospital with reconstructive surgery, Training and Education with vocational training in tailoring and car mechanics, Advocacy for human rights for sufferers and work on disability care and prevention and micro-credit.

This was a very enlightening talk on a neglected tropical disease that has over millennia caused huge amounts of suffering and been treated with such stigma – it was wonderful to hear about the great work the Leprosy Mission are doing to change things for the better.

Charles Buckley