Leprosy in Nepal

Nepal has the 4th highest incidence of leprosy in the world. It is a disease which most of us associate with mediaeval times.

But today leprosy is curable and disabilities totally preventable The drugs to cure it are available free worldwide from The World Health Organisation which has declared that it will eliminate leprosy worldwide by the end of 2000.
However, the WHO still considers leprosy a threat to public health in Nepal.

So why are Nepalese people of all ages still contracting leprosy, remaining untreated, becoming disabled, disfigured social outcasts for the rest of their lives?

In Nepal age-old cultural beliefs are deeply embedded. Leprosy is not a disease, it is a curse from the Gods for bad deeds done in a past life. Leprosy affected people are feared and reviled and up until 1974 they were incarcerated in remote leper colonies. They continue to be abandoned by their families today and ostracised from their communities. They become destitute and survive by begging.

Leprosy Facts

• Leprosy is totally curable.
• Since 1985, 12 million leprosy sufferers have been cured!
• Leprosy does not respect age: cases of 2 month old babies and 80 year old people have been recorded.
• More men get leprosy than women.
• The incubation period ranges from 2 months to 40 years.
• Leprosy does not make your fingers and toes fall off. As with diabetes, loss of extremities is a secondary result of the disease.
• Leprosy is the oldest disease known to man, first recorded in India in 600BC.
• Leprosy is not highly contagious nor is it hereditary.

To find out more about leprosy, please click here.