Medicine providing people diagnosed with leprosy with modern treatment - the Multi-drug therapy (MDT) as quickly as possible in order to prevent deformity.

Hospital care treating the complications of leprosy such as serious ulcers or reactions, and providing surgery, intensive physiotherapy or artificial limbs. TLM works through its own hospitals, or undertakes to provide leprosy care in the general hospitals of governments or other Non-governmental organisations.

Prevention of disability teaching patients and their families how disability can be prevented through proper self-care. Also providing protective footwear and adapted tools etc to remove dangers from daily life.

Community awareness helping to break down the fear and stigma associated with leprosy by teaching the true facts of the disease - leprosy can be cured; isolation is not necessary.

Rehabilitation helping people to lead as full a life as possible after leprosy - accepted and socially integrated into their communities; able to live meaningful lives; and financially and physically independent.

Reconstructive surgery restoring usefulness to affected limbs and correcting / improving facial disfigurement.

Vocational training training people in professional skills which will enable them to have a steady job or set up their own small business.

Schooling removing the barriers which prevent leprosy affected children from continuing their education, for example, illness, poverty and stigma.

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).

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.

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.

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.