Cured leprosy patient still lives with stigma

Cured leprosy patient still lives with stigma

Marudin, 28, a former leprosy patient from Semper, Tanjung Priok,
North Jakarta says that he prefers to live in the ex-lepers
village than return home.

Apart from the fact he can no longer work, he says, he does
not want make things difficult for his family.

"I feel free here," says Marudin who was taken to the
hospital in 1993 and was cured from leprosy in 1995.

"My former neighbors ostracized me," says Marudin, who does
all kinds of work at the hospital from helping other patients
wash their clothes to taking them to the bathroom. He also cooks
and cleans the floors.

Three years ago he married 30-year old Evi, a former leprosy
patient from Jembatan Lima, West Jakarta.

The couple live in Bulak village and rent a room for Rp 50,000
a month. They have no children but they look like any other happy
couple.

According to the hospital deputy director, Handoko Soewono,
the declining number of leprosy patients was thanks to the
Ministry of Health's Leprosy Elimination Control Program at
puskesmas (community health service) level.

When he first came to the hospital in 1987, he said, there
were 550 beds in total and all were occupied. In 1995, only 250
beds were occupied and now, only 70 beds are occupied.

A total of 27 ex-lepers have become permanent occupants of two
bangsal jompo (wings) of the complex.

The hospital had not discharged them because they had no
families to go to.

To make use of the hospital's facilities, it opened its door
to the public in 1997. Neighboring residents have been the main
beneficiaries.

Plans to turn the hospital into a national emergency disaster
institute have been envisioned, but Handoko is not sure when the
plans will become a reality. -- Multa Fidrus