Those you are helping

SHEHU ABDULLAHI SARKIN FADA
Shehu was infected with the leprosy germ when he was a young boy, and suffered for many years without treatment. By the time he was able to take anti-leprosy treatment, the germs had already damaged the nerves to his hands and feet. After treatment at Amanawa Hospital, Sokoto; Shehu was declared cured. Despite many years of rejection and ridicule by his peers, Shehu managed to finish his primary and secondary schooling. He says “I was disadvantaged enough by the leprosy, without adding lack of education to my problems.”

By the time he came to know the staff of TLM Nigeria, Shehu was already working as leprosy assistant in Gusau LGA, his hometown. By this time he was well accepted in the community and was a good advocate for people affected by leprosy, giving talks and messages on the State Radio programmes and preparing leaflets in Hausa about leprosy, its treatment and the people affected by leprosy.

He had however been denied admission to any higher education, including the school of health technology because of his disease. TLM Nigeria sponsored his admission to the TB/Leprosy Supervisor’s(TBLS) Course at the National TB/Leprosy Training centre in Saye, Zaria. Shehu graduated in the top five of the class overall, and top of the class in the leprosy section.

Now appointed as the TBLS for Gusau Local Government in Zamfara State, Shehu also assist with Prevention of Disability and Rehabilitation Activities across the state.

In December 2003, people affected by leprosy from 16 states in Nigeria elected Shehu as chairman, of a newly established organisation IDEA Nigeria. (IDEA is an international association for people affected by leprosy and stands for Integration, Dignity and Economic Advancement).

IDEA NIGERIA Launched in December 2003 at a workshop sponsored by TLM Nigeria, IDEA Nigeria is a member of IDEA International, the association for people affected by Hansen ’s disease (Leprosy) all over the world. 16 states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria were represented, and 42 people who have been directly affected by leprosy were in attendance with 20 other delegates (media, ILEP members etc) The Minna Declaration was the communiqué released by the workshop and is slowly being disseminated around the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory. Communities affected by Hansen’s disease (HD) are being visited by TLM staff and by the IDEA representatives in each state to encourage them to work together to voice their problems and their needs and to become self reliant, not dependent on charity, welfare and handouts.

I Integration For so long people affected by HD have been isolated in society, kept in settlements, denied admission to general health facilities, some denied access to schools and colleges. TLM and IDEA want to spread the word that HD is a disease like any other, that it is curable. When people have HD they need multi-drug therapy (MDT), but at no point do they need to be isolated from the community People who have had HD in the past can and should live full and productive lives as legitimate members of society.

D Dignity Visible deformity leads to embarrassment. The visible deformities caused by nerve damage in leprosy are quite distinctive and mark a person out as different. Such deformities often lead to people feeling ‘disabled’ – unable to function in life as before. TLM and IDEA seek to restore dignity to people who have low self-esteem. We see potential in people and work with individuals and communities to help them recognise and achieve their potential in life. We help people to see that their abilities are greater than their disabilities.

EA Economic Advancement Lack of education and social exclusion leads to lack of employment, and so low economic status. Working with communities TLM and Nigeria offer micro-credit services, advocate for employment of people with disabilities and lobby for re-instatement of people who were dismissed from work because of HD. TLM and IDEA want to spread the word that HD is a disease like any other, that it is curable.

EKAETTE OFFIONG
Ekaette Offiong is a 25 year old lady who suffered with leprosy for years before learning about the hospital at Ekpene Obom. The nerves to her hands and feet were affected and she now has visible deformity. Her feet are at risk of wounds if she walks too far. She has finished taking multi-drug therapy (MDT) and is now free of leprosy. However, the nerve damage is permanent. Ekaette is now studying for her teacher's certificate to become a qualified primary school teacher. She is having plenty of teaching practice at the primary school inside Ekpene Obom hospital compound.