Nepal Leprosy Fellowship

Leprosy: alive & well in Nepal!

In 1998 HMG in cooperation with WHO organised a Leprosy Elimination Campaign in 27 districts during which 12,000 new untreated patients were found.

Since then hundreds more have been reported themselves, following the excellent media coverage at that time, in papers, radio and television.

WHO had proclaimed elimination by 2000, but has been forced to modify this to 2003 - equally unrealistic.  Elimination means 1-10,000 (WHO).

Treatment

Today WHO have stipulated that 12 months of the three-drugs regimen should be used for all patients who have bacilli in their skin.   In 1993, WHO said 24 months duration would cure all patients.  In 1997 this was slashed to 12 months.

The only way to determine how many bacilli a patient has is to take a scraping of the juices just below the skin.  This is smeared on a slide, stained and looked at using a microscope.  This specialised process is not available to patients being treated through the Government Health Posts as they have no facilities for this.

WHO introduced diagnosis by the number of pale patches on a patient's body to attempt to overcome the specialised tests.  The danger is that the patients who do not get early treatment and who have very many bacilli, are not fully treated by only 12 months of the three-drugs.  This means a high probability of relapse 5-10 years later and also spreading the disease until a time that the relapse is obvious.  Even patients who are heavily infected before treatment, but are fully treated until they are negative, have been known to relapse. 

It stands to reason that money and effort should be spent on making skin tests available to as many people as possible.  This is why skin tests are the major thrust of Nepal Leprosy Fellowship's programme.

How does Nepal Leprosy Fellowship work?

Nepal Leprosy Fellowship goes to all Government Health Posts.  There are 13 of them in each of the three districts.  Leprosy patients attend the clinics for medicines and skin tests. 

Diagnosis made by dependence on patches alone leads to many people getting the wrong treatment, even though it may be adequate for a large section of the patients.  Those found to have many bacilli will receive at least 24 months of treatment - double the usual time.

Nepal Leprosy Fellowship has enabled around 200 people to have the chance of a better life after the diagnosis of leprosy.  Thousands of test have been done in our laboratory.

Nepal Leprosy Fellowship also discover more advanced cases.  Some have no bacilli in the skin, but their hands and feet are anaesthetic; they cannot feel - the nerves are dead.  This is one of the worst aspects of the disease.  Feet especially are at risk of getting cuts and thorns in them as shoes are unaffordable.  Secondary infection set in without the patient being aware of it - ulcers form and bones become infected leading to deformity.  This can happen also in the hands.  Septic hands and feet stop people working - no work - no money - no food - poverty - destitution.

How does nerve damage occur?

The bacilli enter the nerves causing damage to them so that they cannot move the muscles because the nerves are dead resulting in deformity.  The bacilli consistently target the same nerves.  Some deformities include:

• fingers clawed

• feet that cannot be lifted

• wrists that cannot lift the hand

• eyelids that cannot close

• facial paralysis

Leprosy Education

There are so many faces to leprosy that it is not easy to diagnose.  This is why education of the public plays a big part in the programme.  The team educate using video films and evening lectures, having previously announced the programme around the village.  200-700 people gather together and as the films are attractive the message gets across - in this way people are taught not to be afraid of leprosy - it is less contagious than TB and becomes non-infectious after treatment.  Leprosy can be cured.  it is not a curse from God for past sin, as many of the superstitious people think.

Our vision

The vision for Nepal Leprosy Fellowship is to spread the God's love through the eastern regions, by showing His love through the lives of the workers and their prayers. 

Anti-Christian activity is increasing in Nepal as in India.  We believe God is working for us and in us.  We need the prayers of God's people and their support, that the Glory may go to Him.

Further Information