Leprosy around the world
Every year between 200,000 and 400,000 new cases of leprosy are found around the world. In 2005 the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 296,000 new cases of leprosy were detected. Over 70% of new cases are found in India. In Mozambique, Indonesia, DR Congo and Brazil new cases of leprosy continue to increase each year.
However, many cases will still go undetected each year, particularly in very rural areas where even basic health care is limited. [1]
Leprosy in Madurai district
New found leprosy cases found by Madurai Health and Leprosy Relief Centre in the past years.
Note: new found cases can categories in two groups:
1. Skin lesion (1- 5 patches) called Pauci bacillary (PB)
2. Multi skin lesions (6 and above patches) called Multi bacillary (MB)
There are yearly still new cases of leprosy found by MAHELERECEN
Infectious disease
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease of the skin and nerves which, if untreated, can lead to serious deformities. If treated early enough, deformities need not occur. And, once treatment has started, a person is non-infectious.
Awareness of basic health care
Awareness of basic health care is limited, particularly in very rural areas.
The target group of MAHELERECEN belongs to ‘the bottom of the pyramid’. Many of them live in poverty (below $2 per day).
In developing countries, waterborne diseases (like dysentery, cholera, typhoid and diarrhea) are a major problem which contributes to the vicious circle that people are in. In many developing countries, there is a lack of medicine to treat ill people. Vaccination is usually very scarce as well. Many people weaken because of (waterborne) disease and, as a result, are more susceptive to other infections. Their physical capacity decreases and they cannot work and provide their families with money and food. A lack of sufficient nutritious food weakens people, especially children, even further. They become even more susceptible to diseases. Children run behind at school, because they cannot be educated when they are ill. Waterborne diseases frustrate the economic development of many people.[2]
-------------------------------------------------
[1] www.leprosymission.org
[2] CAWST. Biosand Water Filter Manual, Published by DHAN Foundation
