One of Mother Theresa’s famous quote was that “The biggest disease today is not
leprosy or tuberculosis, rather the feeling of being unwanted.”
Guys, welcome again to this page of my blog. I am writing here for you to
remember that leprosy is still exist here, in Indonesia as well as in the world. By knowing that, do let yourself aware of what leprosy is, is it curable, is there any medication available, and what are the early signs? You can safe many just by knowing the early signs of leprosy. Trust me, you can.
At six a.m last Sunday, 31 January 2010, the sky was not quite friendly. It was
drizzling when drove down town Jakarta to the Taman Senayan area. The traffic flow
was not at any bad condition at all. I said to myself that it’s going to be a wonderful cool morning to go. An hour later I arrived at the famous and green Taman Senayan. This Park is smack at the central part of Senayan, Jakarta. There were already dozens of people gathered in three different colours and writing types of T-Shirts. Some I knew, many that I don’t remember. For sure I know that many of them are fellows from Sitanala leprosy hospital. I meet with the chairperson of YTLI and chat a little bit with him. Friends from Health Department, the Minister of Health, representatives from WHO, PerMaTa, and other colleagues from NGOs which work for leprosy were also already there. Then the flow of people coming in eventually in order to get the celebration started.
In photo above I have a chance to pose with the project leader of The Nippon Foundation for SEA Projects (second from right), Chief of Directorate of National Leprosy Program (second from left) , The Chairperson of Yayasan Transformasi Lepra Indonesia (middle), and The Secretary of PerMaTa (far right).
What I like from the event is that after 3 speeches from Minister of Health (MOH), WHO representative, and the Health Department, the MOH went far from protocol and went closer with the audience, which were cured leprosy affected persons. She even posed with some of them. Some nice songs from disabled band group of Jakarta, a nice and strong poem by a cured leprosy affected friend from Sitanala leprosy hospital, plus one celebrity who is willing and concern about leprosy. Media people from printing do electronic are also there.
To my personal experience, this is a very special occasion for a World Leprosy Day in Indonesia. Its set in an informal setting, cured leprosy affected friends
were free to sing and express their personal skills. The situation was warm and friendly.
The above photo shows MOH among cured leprosy affected peoples.
The theme for the 57th World Leprosy Day was ‘changing society’s views about the disease’. This occasion is also celebrated across Indonesia the globe in so many countries; aiming to increase public awareness and express solidarity with those affected by the devastating disease. In East Jawa there are about 1000 cured leprosy affected people together with the Governor of East Jawa planting Mangrove trees at the northern beach of Surabaya, and many more activities involving cured leprosy affected people in Makassar and Kupang.
According to the most recent data published by the World Health Organisation,
more than 210,000 new cases were recorded in 2009. From that number, 17.000 are from
Indonesia, the 3rd after India and Brazil. There are many more in various parts of Indonesia. To name some are North Maluku, Papua, East Java, and major parts of Sulawesi.
Cured leprosy affected people are now more advance that it was 5 years ago. An
organization called PerMaTa (Perhimpunan Mandiri Kusta Indonesia - Indonesia's independence leprosy association) is now having its branches in South Sulawesi, East Java, and East Nusa Tenggara. Its central office is in Surabaya. The organization is aimed to empower and putting all the cured leprosy affected peoples into the mainstream of their community in order to uphold human dignity and their self esteem. Their main message is to make people aware that even leprosy affected persons are also human being with the equal rights just like you and me. YTLI (Yayasan Transformasi Lepra Indonesia - Indonesia's Leprosy Transformation foundation) which based in Jakarta is proud to be one of some NGOs to start the seed and facilitate, as well as help them grow into a national NGO. YTLI's dream is that PerMaTa will go global with their counterpart NGOs at the international level. One day, the work of leprosy (like finding new cases, treatment, medication, self care, and developing their diffabled friends) will be done by themselves. Is it possible?
Friends, you and me are actually just like one of them. We are equal, yet due to our misconception about leprosy we forget that the disease is just a disease, and that it is not to separate us and forget about them.
And, the celebration ends at about 09.30 before it gets too glary. I went home while whistling some of my favourite songs then pick up my family to church. If any that you have read above is then forgotten, please remember that leprosy is
curable. It is! Ask me for further information or simply get to www.transformasilepra.org or www.leprosymission.org for further details.
What are the symptoms - how does someone know they have leprosy? The First sign are usually numb patches which looks pale than normal and not itchy. Some nodules might appear as company.
Happy Leprosy Day to my fellow leprosy affected friends.
Jakarta, 2 Feb 2010
Alexander Mutak
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