Don’t discriminate against leprosy patients, expert warns

A medical expert, Afia Afia has warned against the stigmatisation of people affected by leprosy saying the disease is curable and the reference to patients as “lepers” promotes discrimination.

In a release made available to our reporter in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, Afia who is also the medical superintendent of the leprosy hospital in Akwa Ibom said with proper medical attention, the disease is curable.

The medical doctor who acknowledges the continuous support of the Leprosy Mission in Nigeria and Northern Ireland to the hospital particularly the renovation of the limb department, female dormitory, female Tuberculosis ward and the on-going construction of the Esther Davies Amenity ward refuted the notion that the tripartite arrangement for the running of the facility was non-existence.

According to him, three agencies, The Leprosy Mission (TLM), Akwa Ibom State Government and the Qua Iboe Church of Nigeria are still funding the operations of the institution.

He stated that though the financial support of TLM may have slowed down due to global economic meltdown, the TLM has remained a major supporter of the hospital and has never allowed its activity, decision or policy to lead to the collapse of the tripartite agreement or the hospital falling into ruins.

He explained that the state government is responsible for all the skilled manpower in the medical institution and is presently undertaking a vast renovation of projects in the hospital like the general male ward, physiotherapy department, hospital chapel, primary school block, residential apartment, hospital kitchen and a walk way near completion.

“The tripartite agreement supporting the hospital still stands and involves The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) with funding support from The Leprosy Mission Northern Ireland (TLM-NI), the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Qua Iboe Church of Nigeria.

“Although we had a few security challenges some years ago, the situation has since been resolved and work is going on uninterrupted with significant development, thanks to the interventions of the internal management of the hospital, the village council, security agents and sponsors.

“The State government through the wife of the governor’s pet project is also assisting in the welfare of the patients. The Qua Iboe Church of Nigeria supports the hospital financially during the world leprosy day, donates materials for patient use from time to time and does respond to urgent needs or request as approved,” he said.