2021 news and updates
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17 December 2021 - News Update
News from Chennai: leprosy prevalence is higher in children than in the national population Leprosy prevalence is reported as higher among children in Tamil Nadu than in the national population. Nearly nine children per ten thousand people have been found with leprosy. Screening camps will start in all government schools. Read more in The Hindu |
By kind permission The Hindu
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14 December 2021 - Christmas Update
SFLG launches its Christmas appeal today - let's make the end of leprosy the greatest gift of all Our massive thanks for your support this year. Your kindness makes a lasting impact on the lives of the poorest and most isolated people in the world. To see the impact for yourself, visit our Christmas Celebration To see an end to leprosy as the greatest Christmas gift of all, read our Christmas Appeal |
"An explosion of joy" - what your gift means at Christmas at ELEME, Nigeria
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1 December 2021 - Press release
When is elimination not elimination? When it is leprosy. A government declaration that a disease has been eliminated sounds positive news, but terrible consequences may follow. In this press release, we highlight the implications and risks of using the word “eliminated” and strongly caution against it. Read more in the press release Read in the Independent Catholic News Read more in the Church Times |
By kind permission of the International Nepal Fellowship
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16 November 2021 - News update
Keralite priest brought up in leprosy hospital will be the next Bishop of Loughborough. An Anglican priest who was brought up in a leprosy hospital in Bengaluru, will be the next Bishop of Loughborough. Reverend Malayil Lukose Varghese Muthalaly, 42, will be consecrated in January 2022. Read more about this extraordinary story here |
Saju Muthalaly
By kind permission of the Deccan Herald
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12 November 2021 - Press release
We will remember them Archbishop John prayed for our deceased donors and blessed our Book of Remembrance. His moving sermon explained the importance of supporting people affected by leprosy. |
Archbishop John Wilson
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2 November 2021 - News update
SFLG reflects on its generous donors on All Souls Day SFLG gives thanks to its generous donors who have recently passed away. In their name, a Garden of Remembrance has been created. Their generosity means that a leprosy-free world is becoming even closer. Visit the Garden of Remembrance here Read more in the News update |
SFLG's Garden of Remembrance
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Saturday, 30 October 2021 - 125th Anniversary Mass
A big thank you to everyone who attended our 125th anniversary Mass on Saturday at St George's Cathedral, Southwark, or via YouTube. |
Archbishop John Wilson, Chief Concelebrant at Saturday's Mass.
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14 October 2021 - News update
SFLG's CEO inspires the next generation of social entrepreneurs Clare McIntosh gives insights to students at the University of Westminster Business School to explore social entrepreneurship, fundraise and make a difference. Read more in the News update |
SFLG's Clare McIntosh presents the leprosy story to future entrepreneurs at University of Westminster
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4 October 2021 - News update
SFLG commemorates the Feast Day of its Patron - St Francis of Assisi Today SFLG reflects on the life of its much-loved and highly venerated patron, St Francis of Assisi, who died, aged 45, in 1226. Read more in the News update Download PDF |
St Francis of Assisi - Patron of St Francis Leprosy Guild
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21 September 2021 - News update
"Leprosy still exists today, as do the Catholics who serve the afflicted" Online Catholic news and information website reports that between three and four million people worldwide are living with deformities or other serious impairments due to leprosy. Read the complete article in Aleteia |
Shutterstock image showing a young person with leprosy
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8 September 2021 - Press release
SFLG launches pioneering new programme - six new projects to find and treat people with leprosy SFLG’s TRACE operating strategy is putting an emphasis on active case-finding; early detection followed by treatment with multidrug therapy reflecting new global approaches in the ongoing fight against leprosy. Read more about our new projects in the press release Download the PDF Read more in Independent Catholic News Read blog on leprosy and active case-finding in The Tablet Read article in Northern Cross |
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2 September 2021 - News update
The end is in sight in fight against leprosy "Catholic charity St Francis Leprosy Guild is striving to see leprosy eradicated within 25 to 30 years" writes Jason Osborne. Read the complete article in The Irish Catholic Read more online |
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16 August 2021 - News update
Stigma causes depression among leprosy patients Stigma has been identified as the major cause of depression and psychological issues among people living with leprosy and lymphatic filariasis. Joint research conducted by NGOs, The Leprosy Mission Nigeria and Global Disability Inclusion, was carried out in Gboko and Konshisha local government areas of Benue State as pilot scheme for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Benue State. Read more in the Leadership |
Hands affected by leprosy as shown in the Leadership
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22 July 2021 - News update
Justice Arun Kumar Mishra calls for Indian states to repeal all laws discriminating against leprosy-affected persons Around 114 laws still exist in India that discriminate against people with leprosy and their families. Justice Mishra was chairing a recent meeting of the National Human Rights Commission when he called for these laws to be repealed and replaced by policies and frameworks that will protect the human rights of people with leprosy. Justice Mishra is the current and eighth Chair of the National Human Rights Commission of India. He is a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India. Read more in The Times of India |
Times of India
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13 July 2021 - News update
Health campaigners call for an end to the use of the L-word Derogatory use of the “L-word” has increased during COVID and is said to be further marginalising people with the curable disease. Health campaigners are calling for an end to the use of the word leper, saying the language frequently used by politicians and others during the pandemic has made people with leprosy even more marginalised. Read more in the Guardian |
A leprosy village in Tenerife that was abandoned soon after construction began in 1943, as the disease waned in Europe. But elsewhere, leprosy is still prevalent. Photograph: Chris Craggs/Alamy
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12 July 2021 - News update
The loneliest disease: why SFLG supports Manthivu leprosy centre, Batticaola, Sri Lanka Over a century old, Manthivu was built to segregate leprosy patients under colonial rule. In the middle of a small island in Batticaloa, Manthivu still provides a home for two patients who have nowhere else to go. Watch video Read more about our work at Manthivu |
Island in Batticaola - copyright Colombo Times
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8 July 2021 - Press release
SFLG supports Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre, Zimbabwe and provides critical water supply Mutemwa provides physical, material, psychological and emotional care to people with leprosy and to the physically challenged and destitute. Read more in the press release Read in Independent Catholic News website Download the PDF |
Residents at Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre, Zimbabwe, by kind permission of the John Bradburne Memorial Society
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7 July 2021 - News update
Centenary Celebrations for a man who could be next saint - John Bradburne, the former warden of Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre, Zimbabwe Read more in the press release Read more in Centenary flyer By kind permission of the John Bradburne Memorial Society For more information, please contact: [email protected] |
John Bradburne at Mutemwa, by kind permission of the John Bradburne Memorial Society
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30 June 2021 - News update
SFLG supports Jimma Daughters of Charity people with leprosy "living above the dead but below the living" SFLG gives heartfelt support for rehabilitation of people with leprosy in Ethiopia. A new grant will benefit more than 1,500 people with leprosy and 250 students. Read more in the press release Read how your donation has changed lives |
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30 June 2021 - Press release
SFLG gives emergency COVID-19 relief to people with leprosy CEO fears programmes disruption and increased leprosy disability Read more in the press release Download the PDF Read more in Church Times Read research on the impact of the pandemic on leprosy services Read Our World in Data COVID-19 vaccination map |
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21 May 2021 - News update
COVID-19 devastation in leprosy community Superintendent reports Corona tsumani causing massive suffering Our thoughts and prayers are with the staff, patients and others affected by leprosy at the St. Anthony's Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre in Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Read more in the press release here |
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13 May 2021 - News update
SFLG celebrates founder’s birthday The extraordinary life of Kate Marsden (1859 – 1931) SFLG was founded in 1895 by Kate Marsden. Her mission in life was to care for people abandoned by society because of leprosy. Read Kate's story news update here Read news coverage from Independent Catholic News website |
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12 May 2021 - News update
International Nurses Day Unsung heroes - Catholic missionary nuns Throughout the world, in remote, impoverished or dangerous locations, Catholic missionary nuns are nursing the sick and the wounded. Read more about their dedication and lifelong commitment to SFLG and people with leprosy Download PDF here. |
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10 May 2021 - News update
Father Damien's Feast Day Today, SFLG celebrates the life and ministry of “martyr of charity” Father Damien (3 January 1840 – 15 April 1889) Read more about Father Damien's incredible story here |
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SFLG features in the launch of Charitable Radio
Charitable Radio is a social enterprise (CIC) set up to share the great work of charities, supporters, fundraisers and volunteers on air. Charity appeals are mixed in with music, presenters, national news and weather, the #GoodNewsNews charity stories and so much more. You can listen online or by enabling us on your Alexa device. Their goal as a social enterprise is to raise £100k to donate to charity in their first year. The radio channel has its full launch on Sunday 16th May at 11am on #RadioforGood Day! Twelve presenters, guests, competitions and more. |
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Another disease of our time – leprosy
COVID-19 pandemic is raging through India. For some people with leprosy, life has become even harder. Read more on www.kvhcom.com |
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Tuesday 30 March 2021 - Press release
Christian charities make a leap forward to end leprosy by researching diagnosis via a smartphone
Two Christian Charities, The Leprosy Mission England and Wales (“TLMEW”) and St Francis Leprosy Guild (“SFLG”) are jointly funding multi-spectral screening research that aims to significantly speed up the diagnosis of the biblical disease leprosy using a smartphone. Read more in the full press release (PDF).
Read more on The Independent Catholic News website
Read more in The Irish Catholic (PDF)
Read more in the Church Times
Christian charities make a leap forward to end leprosy by researching diagnosis via a smartphone
Two Christian Charities, The Leprosy Mission England and Wales (“TLMEW”) and St Francis Leprosy Guild (“SFLG”) are jointly funding multi-spectral screening research that aims to significantly speed up the diagnosis of the biblical disease leprosy using a smartphone. Read more in the full press release (PDF).
Read more on The Independent Catholic News website
Read more in The Irish Catholic (PDF)
Read more in the Church Times
26 February 2021 - Archbishop supports vaccine equality for people with leprosy
"Around the world people with leprosy face greater exposure to covid-19, have less access to running water or other hygiene measures, and experience discrimination in healthcare. Archbishop John Wilson has joined with St Francis Leprosy Guild to call for equal access to lifesaving covid-19 vaccines".
Read more on the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales website
"Around the world people with leprosy face greater exposure to covid-19, have less access to running water or other hygiene measures, and experience discrimination in healthcare. Archbishop John Wilson has joined with St Francis Leprosy Guild to call for equal access to lifesaving covid-19 vaccines".
Read more on the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales website
26 February 2021 - Archbishop Wilson calls for Covid vaccine to be given to the most marginalised in poor countries
"The Archbishop of Southwark, the Most Reverend John Wilson, has called for Governments to develop special strategies to ensure that marginalised and stigmatised communities, including people with leprosy, receive the same advantages of Covid-19 vaccines as the rest of society".
Read more on the Independent Catholic News website
"The Archbishop of Southwark, the Most Reverend John Wilson, has called for Governments to develop special strategies to ensure that marginalised and stigmatised communities, including people with leprosy, receive the same advantages of Covid-19 vaccines as the rest of society".
Read more on the Independent Catholic News website
26 February 2021 - UK charity changes lives of thousands impacted by leprosy
"Leprosy sufferers around the world are being helped by a UK-based charity dedicated to bringing dignity and care to many facing discrimination from their families, as well as the effects of the disease.
St Francis Leprosy Guild (SFLG) has a mission to see leprosy defeated in our lifetime. The charity funds research, hospitals, rehabilitation centres and active case finding projects, and in 2020 supported more than 70,000 people in 30 different projects in 12 countries in Asia, Africa, and South America".
Read more on the Inspire Magazine website
"Leprosy sufferers around the world are being helped by a UK-based charity dedicated to bringing dignity and care to many facing discrimination from their families, as well as the effects of the disease.
St Francis Leprosy Guild (SFLG) has a mission to see leprosy defeated in our lifetime. The charity funds research, hospitals, rehabilitation centres and active case finding projects, and in 2020 supported more than 70,000 people in 30 different projects in 12 countries in Asia, Africa, and South America".
Read more on the Inspire Magazine website
4 March 2021 - COVID-19 has compounded prejudice against leprosy sufferers
"Leprosy has been a death sentence for most of human history. Before the disease kills the one who suffers, it frequently means exile for sufferers from home and community. So much so, that ‘leper’ long ago became a cruel byword for someone to be avoided.
In much of the world, the malady is known these days by a different name: Hansen’s disease, after the Norwegian scientist Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, who discovered the bacterium that causes the illness. Medicine has made significant strides in understanding the disease and developing treatments, while public health professionals have come to understand how to control its spread. Leprosy cases are dropping worldwide, and many countries especially in the developed world have declared the disease eliminated".
Read more on The Catholic Herald website
"Leprosy has been a death sentence for most of human history. Before the disease kills the one who suffers, it frequently means exile for sufferers from home and community. So much so, that ‘leper’ long ago became a cruel byword for someone to be avoided.
In much of the world, the malady is known these days by a different name: Hansen’s disease, after the Norwegian scientist Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, who discovered the bacterium that causes the illness. Medicine has made significant strides in understanding the disease and developing treatments, while public health professionals have come to understand how to control its spread. Leprosy cases are dropping worldwide, and many countries especially in the developed world have declared the disease eliminated".
Read more on The Catholic Herald website
