New Face for Leprosy 

Mohamed is 38 and works as an auto driver picking up 6-7 children each day for the school run. “I have lived in this area all my life.”

“In January 2003 I developed deformities of my hands and feet over a few months. I visited private doctors and was given treatment but with no improvement. In 2015 I developed red patches on my face. I went to Osmania hospital and was diagnosed with leprosy there and referred to Nallakunta Centre for treatment.” He took MDT for 12 months.

“I was terrified when I was told about my diagnosis. Only my parents and my wife know about it.”

After marriage, his wife asked him why he didn’t inform her about the disease earlier. He replied “mujhe khud nahi pata iss bimari ke baare mein” meaning “I have no knowledge myself that a disease called ‘leprosy’ exists.”

He takes good care of his hand and feet by soaking them in water and cleaning regularly. “I also avoid places where the temperature is quite high.” He wears normal footwear instead of MCR footwear provided by the referral centre because he doesn’t want people to ask questions about the footwear. He’s faced stigma very few times, usually from passengers spotting the deformity on his hand before they get in his auto.

“I am happy living comfortably with my family. I don’t want them to suffer. I want my children to be highly educated and settle in a good position, unlike me driving an auto.”

“If anyone is suffering from leprosy, I will tell them to take regular medication.”