New Face for Leprosy 

Hajer Ali is 75 years old. He worked as a sand collector. He has two children, a son and a daughter. He lives with his son, a rickshaw van driver, and grandchildren.

He saw blisters 30 years ago beside his left toenail and right hand after finishing work. The ulcer increased in size, but he continued to work. The ulcer spread, and he saw many doctors, but none diagnosed leprosy. He went to Nilphamari DBLM hospital where leprosy was diagnosed. He stayed there for a month, but his ulcers did not improve, and he had foot and finger amputations. He was a rickshaw driver in Bogura 26 years ago when Mr. Polu, the medical assistant from LEPRA, saw him at the roadside and brought him to LEPRA, where he took a year's course of antibiotics. He felt better after the treatment, his ulcers healed, and sensation returned in his hands and feet.

He is in a 10-person group created by LEPRA who help each other improve their health and life. He does self-care regularly as LEPRA trained him, and his condition has improved. He can now work properly with his hands and feet. He will do his self-care after the interview. As a member of the federation, he goes door to door to find patients with leprosy symptoms. When he finds someone with leprosy symptoms, he says, “Don’t be afraid, it’s a curable disease. I had it and I can bring you to treatment.” He helps people by sharing his experience of leprosy. He’s had special Micro-Cellular Rubber sandals since 2011. He came from a poor family with no education. His family and neighbors are helpful to him, but when he had a bad ulcer, his neighbors kept their distance. His family is always with him. He drove a rented rickshaw for 40 years and then got a loan from LEPRA and bought a rickshaw. He repaid the loan within one year and built a house. He no longer works. His elder son has taken charge of the family. He is proud of his family. His message is, “Don't be afraid of getting treatment. This disease is curable.” The most challenging thing was when he had to pull his rickshaw with an ulcer.