1. The Work of the Leprosy Mission founded 1874
Ministering in the name of Jesus to the physical, mental and spiritual needs of leprosy sufferers around the world and those with similar disabilities.

2. Regions of Care

3. Leprosy
An infectious disease caused by a bacterium Mycobacterium leprae
Affects skin and eyes and muscles such as hands and feet
Attacks nerves in the cool part of the body
If not attended to immediately, it causes deformities

4. What is leprosy?
A disease.

5. The Disease Initial Symptoms
Development of clearly defined pale skin patches indicating isolation of bacterium
In extreme cases there is little definition between patches and healthy skin

6. The Disease Progression of Disease Numbness in hand and feet
Patient is susceptible to cuts, infections and feels no pain
Stiffened muscles
Loss of the blinking reflex in the eye can lead to blindness
In some cases, amputation of hand and feet is necessary

7. The Disease (continued)
Thought to be infectious
Communicated through airborne droplets
Sneezing or coughing
About 1,100 new cases detected each day
Over 95% of the population are naturally immune

8. This is Basarul.
He has leprosy.

9. Facts about Leprosy
One child is diagnosed with leprosy every 2 minutes
Since 1982, over 15 million people have been cured of leprosy with multi-drug therapy
There were over 224,000 cases of leprosy at the beginning of 2007

10. How Does Leprosy Affect People?
Leprosy affects people both socially and emotionally
There are many myths and fears about this disease
People who contract leprosy are ostracized
Young children, adults, anyone who contracts leprosy are often forced out of their homes and communities
People sometimes cannot work

11. Leprosy in the Past
The history of leprosy

12. History of Leprosy Leprosy has existed since biblical times
Once existed in Europe from 1–2000 BCE, it has since disappeared in Europe
Canada once had 3 leprosy colonies
Leprosy still exists in many countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa

13. Leprosy and Canada
Leprosy no longer a threat in Canada
Came to Canada in 19th century through immigration and infected sailors
Lasted until the mid 20th century
Those with leprosy were sent to D’Arcy Island in British Columbia or Sheldrake Island in New Brunswick
Those with leprosy in Canada endured the same isolation as elsewhere in the world

14. Modern History of Leprosy
1893: Doctor Armaur Hansen of Norway discovers M. Leprae bacilli
1950s: Doctors begin using Dapsone to treat leprosy
1982: Leprosy develops resistance to Dapsone; the World Health Organization recommends multi-drug treatment

15. Modern History of Leprosy (cont’d)
Since 1982, Multi- Drug Therapy has made a huge impact
1985 leprosy was considered a health problem in 122 countries
Work has been progressing steadily toward a vaccine
American Leprosy Missions and The Leprosy Mission Canada are continuing to help fund research.

16. The “Ideal” Find every case of leprosy at an early stage
Distribute the cure
Have people remain in their communities and be productive members of society

17. What are people doing about it?
There is a cure, and we’re bringing it to those who need it.

18. “The Cure” Curing people of leprosy is a complex process
Must respond to social as well as physical condition
The cure is made of three different antibiotics: Dapsone,Rifampicin, Clofazimine known together as multi-drug therapy

19. The Cure
MDT can cure leprosy in as little as 6 months, and for more advanced cases, up to 2 year
Getting people to finish the cure is sometimes problematic considering the length of time they need to take the medication

20. The Cure (continued)
Leprosy does not cause pain but the process of curing leprosy can be very painful to patients
Patients can have negative reaction to drugs
MDT can cause inflammation of nerves painful swelling
Patient may develop nodules on their body caused by painful swelling of nerve endings

21. The Cure (continued)
Patients can experience pain after amputation or reconstructive surgery
Curing people with leprosy results in a return to family and to the community and a return to work and a purposeful life

22. Binta in Reaction to Leprosy Treatment

23. Binta at Amanawa Hospital

24. Vocational Training
Catch Them Young Program

25. Micro Loan Program
Low Cost Housing

26. Leprosy in the World Today
250,000 new cases per year
16 countries with new cases
~15 million completed MDT
3+ million with continuing disability
194,000 disability adjusted lives
WHO Enhanced Strategy 2011 – 2015
1 of 17 Neglected Tropical Diseases

27. Background of Neglected Tropical Diseases
Significant morbidity (1 billion affected)
Strong association with poverty
Flourish in poor environments
Tend to co-exist
Prevalent in tropical areas
Largely hidden – rural, remote, slums
Silent – no political voice

28. Millennium Development Goals
Leprosy work can be linked to 5 MDGs:
MDG 6 – Reducing the burden of disease
MDG 1 – Reduction of poverty
MDG 2 – Education of children
MDG 5 – Maternal health
MDG 8 – Partnerships

29. WHO Enhanced Global Strategy
Early case detection and treatment
Prevention of disability
Community based rehabilitation
Priority: equity, social exclusion, human rights, discrimination
Monitor the threat of drug resistance

30. Leprosy and Our Call as Catholics
Jesus reached out to think and touched those affected by leprosy to restore them to health and wholeness
Our Catholic Social Teaching reminds us of the dignity of all persons regardless of physical appearance
Catholic social teaching also calls us to respond to the poor and marginalized everywhere

31. Leprosy and Our Call as Catholics
Jesus taught us the importance of prayer and sacrifice for others
We can pray for those affected by leprosy
We can fundraise to support multi-drug therapy
We can raise awareness of the need to respect the dignity of all persons
We can work to alleviate the link between leprosy and poverty in developing countries

32. To learn more about leprosy, visit www.answeringthecall.ca