WHO gives leprosy aid in South Sumatra
The Jakarta Post | Thu, 09/02/2010 10:37 AM
PALEMBANG: The World Health Organization (WHO) gave medicine to leprosy patients at Dr. Rivai Abdullah Hospital in Sungai Kendur, Palembang, on Wednesday.
WHO representative Yohei Sasakawa said he hoped the aid would help free the province from leprosy.
Sasakawa said he appreciated the hospital’s treatment of leprosy patients and told the local administration not to discriminate against people afflicted by the disease.
The Nippon Foundation, which is chaired by Sasakawa, provided the medicine to WHO for patients in Indonesia.
Governor Alex Noerdin said he hoped the package would help reduce the province’s number of leprosy patients.
“We are determined to free South Sumatra from leprosy,” he said.
Hospital director Dr Heriadi Manan said the facility was currently treating 40 leprosy patients and housing 50 rehabilitated patients.
“They have already recovered from the illness, but because of their physical defects, they are reluctant to return to their society because they fear being exiled,” he said. — JP
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