28 January 2018 – Set up in 1904 by the British Leprosy Mission, the Rawalpindi Leprosy Hospital is the oldest facility dedicated to the treatment of leprosy in Pakistan. Located in what is now a crowded part of the city, at the time of establishment, the hospital was a deserted place in the outskirts of the city. Lepers from all over British India used to come here for treatment and shelter.
Since 1968, the hospital has been run by the organization Aid to Leprosy Patients (ALP). There are currently 97 beds for leprosy patients. The facility also runs a tuberculosis control programme and provides services related to skin problems, blindness, psychotherapy and rehabilitation.
Leprosy is a disease that is fully curable if caught early. Yet, without improved active case detection and early diagnosis, the number of persons at risk of developing impairments and disabilities remains high. Of every 100 people newly diagnosed with leprosy in Pakistan, 15 already have impairments.
Annual leprosy statistics in Pakistan show that the number of new case detections is slowly decreasing as a long-term trend, however, more efforts are needed to stop this disease. In 2016, 397 new leprosy cases were detected, including 40 cases reported in children.
On World Leprosy Day, we visited the Rawalpindi Leprosy Hospital and listened to stories shared by the patients.
Asim Shehzad (19), from Sialkot, Punjab
“I have always dreamt of doing a diploma in civil engineering. However, at the age of 15, I realized that one of my right hand’s fingers was numb. First, I did not share this with anyone. Later on, at the age of 17, I started feeling lethargic and had difficulties to attempt a written exam. But initially, no one believed me that I was having hard time writing or holding objects with my right hand.
My parents were concerned and took me to local doctors several times but no one was able to correctly diagnose me.
It took some time until I was admitted to a bigger hospital and doctors performed a biopsy. This is when I was diagnosed with leprosy. I was initially treated at the Sialkot Leprosy Centre and since April 2017, I have been under treatment in the Leprosy Hospital in Rawalpindi.
I am not able to write with my right hand yet but the disease has stopped spreading which is a big achievement. My mother is really worried and asks when am I coming back home. I was in the first year of civil engineering diploma and I will join back soon, I am very hopeful.”
Bibi Jan (43), from Bajaur Agency, FATA
“I have 7 children: 4 sons and 3 daughters. I’ve been suffering from hand and arm problems for the past 3 years. First, I thought this is due to some weather change but then, it started getting worse and the skin colour was changing rapidly. My family took me to different doctors and initially I was diagnosed with a skin allergy. I had never heard of leprosy before, although this was running in my in-laws family. Doctors gave me different ointments for the skin. If there were any improvements, they were only temporary.
I was finally diagnosed with leprosy at a local leprosy hospital, where my eldest son took me. Now, it’s been a month since I am being treated at the Rawalpinid Leprosy Hospital. I am feeling much better and can feel that I am being healed. If I ever see a person with the same symptoms, I will tell them not to waste time and money on wrong treatment but go and seek the proper cure for it.”
Esa Jan (58), from Faisalabad, Punjab
“I was born in Mansehra in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province and moved Faisalabad with my family when I was a child. In Mansehra, I had seen many leprosy cases so I know what this disease is. For me, it all started with the feeling of itchiness in my feet, but I didn’t’ take this symptom seriously. But a few months later, the skin on my feet started changing colour and I began to lose weight. I was so weak that I was not able to stand on my feet or go to the toilet by myself.
When I started seeing doctors, they were unable to correctly diagnose me and kept prescribing simple skin treatment. Then my both feet started to become numb. My aunt, who has also suffered leprosy, guided me to the leprosy centre in Faisalabad from where I was transferred to Rawalpindi.
With the help of the doctors here, I not only fully recovered but can stand on my feet again and walk properly. I am very lucky that I found the right treatment and now will live a normal healthy life again."
Saba Sultan (66), from Haripur, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa
“I remember a very tiny spot on my left foot that appeared almost 3 years ago. I ignored it. Three years later, the same color spots started appearing on my whole body with unbearable irritation. My sons took me to different doctors as well as traditional healers, and I tried many remedies, but nothing worked. I couldn’t sleep for 8 months because of the irritation.
When I was admitted to the Rawalpindi Leprosy Hospital, my condition was very severe. I also suffer from high blood pressure and diabetes, but here, I got good treatment and I am feeling much better now. The hospital provides free medicines, food and I feel lucky to be here.”
Syed Rahim Shah (55), from Muzaffarabad, AJK
“I have been suffering from leprosy for the past 10 years. When I initially got ill, I approached every possible local health care facility looking for help. But none of the doctors was able to correctly diagnose my illness.
When I finally got admitted to the leprosy hospital in Rawalpindi a few years ago, I had to return home due to personal reasons and stopped the treatment. This was a big mistake, as I was on my way to recovery.
As a result, the disease spread in my body and I became paralysed for life. Now, I tell everyone they should never ignore the treatment.”
Related link
Leprosy: world focused on ending transmission among children