It was good to welcome back Dr Ruth Butlin to bring an update on the work of the Leprosy Mission across the world – this time focussing on children.

Although it is curable, millions of people worldwide are living with the effects of the disease, from physical disability to mental health problems, poverty and discrimination. The most recent statistic (2024), is that there are just over 172,700 new cases of leprosy in the world of which 5.4% (approx. 9,325) are children under the age of 15. Africa has the most child cases and many are disabled before they are even diagnosed with the disease!

The first signs of the disease are often discoloured patches on the body.  The good news is that leprosy (a bacterial infection) is curable with antibiotics and does not spread easily, but poverty, a lack of awareness, and myths about the disease stop children from getting the vital treatment they need. 

If not treated quickly, leprosy attacks the nerves. Eventually, those affected can lose feeling in their hands and feet which make everyday activities fraught with danger as they can’t feel pain. It’s easy to burn your hands when cooking or cut the soles of your feet when walking barefoot. These wounds can easily become infected especially if you don’t know how to care for them, have no clean water, or ignore them because they don’t hurt. Ulcers can develop, and in severe cases, the only way to prevent infection spreading is amputation.  Leprosy can also make your fingers curl into your palms which means that you can’t hold a pen at school. 

The Leprosy Mission believes that every young person deserves the chance to thrive, but leprosy is stealing opportunities and trapping young people in fear and a spiral of joylessness and hopelessness. There is a real fear of becoming severely disfigured and disabled.

Ruth brought this to life by telling us some real life stories, one of which was about Nisha:

Growing up in rural India, life was hard for 12-year-old Nisha. Her mum died when she was just a baby and her father remarried and was working away from home. Nisha loved her step mum, Maya and although they didn’t have much, they had each other, then leprosy struck.

The disease hit Maya first but despite many trips to the government hospital, it wasn’t treated properly. Nisha tried to help at home, but Maya grew weaker and weaker and there wasn’t anything that anyone could do. At just nine years old, Nisha lost a second mum. Tragically, there was more pain to come. While caring for her step mum, Nisha had ignored the strange patch on her own face. At first, she thought it was just a rash. Her dad took her to a doctor, but the cream he gave her made no difference. As Nisha’s symptoms worsened, her fear grew. “People stopped talking to me. They whispered and stared if I went into the village. Even my closest friends wouldn’t come near me anymore. I loved going to school. But I had to leave because I had leprosy. I became unwanted and invisible. I was heartbroken. But there was no-one to hear me as I cried on my bed.”

It is very sad that Nisha’s leprosy was not detected through contact surveillance. This can be a common issue as does a lack of community care but this is something that is changing as well as educating healthcare professionals. Immediate treatment especially with children can be very effective.

Nisha began to lose hope but then, her dad heard about the Leprosy Mission’s hospital in Champa.  Nisha was quickly diagnosed and admitted to the ward. Every day the nurses would comfort and encourage her (self-care regime can be difficult for young children) and thanks to the caring team and the appropriate treatment she began to recover.

Today, Nisha is back at home. Her health has improved, but stigma still haunts her. People in her village whisper about her and she isn’t allowed back to school. But Ruth said that things are changing – people are not so frightened of the disease now and attitudes are changing.

Ruth also shared that many people affected by the disease go on to be nurses and support workers. Naresh, who grew up in a hospital compound and now a nurse says that although he can heal the wounds he can’t always heal the heart so he prays!

If you would like to pray and not sure how, why not use the prayer below as a guideline for your own prayers.

Almighty Father, the giver of life and health, look mercifully on those who suffer from leprosy.

Stretch out your hand to touch and heal them as Jesus did during his earthly life.

Grant wisdom and insight to those who are seeking the prevention and cure of the disease:

  • Give skill and compassion to those who minister to the patients
  • Reunite the separated with their families and friends
  • Inspire your people with the task set before The Leprosy Mission, that it may never lack the staff or the means to carry on its healing work in accordance with your will, and to the glory of your holy name.

We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.

It was a joy to be able to give Ruth a love gift of £200 for the work of the Leprosy Mission – £150 members’ offering plus £50 from funds.

We look forward to hearing further updates from Ruth via her quarterly news bulletins and another visit later on in the year.