Cured leprosy patient still lives with stigma<\/p>\n
Marudin, 28, a former leprosy patient from Semper, Tanjung Priok,
\nNorth Jakarta says that he prefers to live in the ex-lepers
\nvillage than return home.<\/p>\n
Apart from the fact he can no longer work, he says, he does
\nnot want make things difficult for his family.<\/p>\n
"I feel free here," says Marudin who was taken to the
\nhospital in 1993 and was cured from leprosy in 1995.<\/p>\n
"My former neighbors ostracized me," says Marudin, who does
\nall kinds of work at the hospital from helping other patients
\nwash their clothes to taking them to the bathroom. He also cooks
\nand cleans the floors.<\/p>\n
Three years ago he married 30-year old Evi, a former leprosy
\npatient from Jembatan Lima, West Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The couple live in Bulak village and rent a room for Rp 50,000
\na month. They have no children but they look like any other happy
\ncouple.<\/p>\n
According to the hospital deputy director, Handoko Soewono,
\nthe declining number of leprosy patients was thanks to the
\nMinistry of Health's Leprosy Elimination Control Program at
\npuskesmas (community health service) level.<\/p>\n
When he first came to the hospital in 1987, he said, there
\nwere 550 beds in total and all were occupied. In 1995, only 250
\nbeds were occupied and now, only 70 beds are occupied.<\/p>\n
A total of 27 ex-lepers have become permanent occupants of two
\nbangsal jompo (wings) of the complex.<\/p>\n
The hospital had not discharged them because they had no
\nfamilies to go to.<\/p>\n
To make use of the hospital's facilities, it opened its door
\nto the public in 1997. Neighboring residents have been the main
\nbeneficiaries.<\/p>\n
Plans to turn the hospital into a national emergency disaster
\ninstitute have been envisioned, but Handoko is not sure when the
\nplans will become a reality. -- Multa Fidrus<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cured-leprosy-patient-still-lives-with-stigma-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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