Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre, Dinajpur, Bangladesh
Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre, known as DLC, operates in the Dinajpur district in northern Bangladesh. DLC identifies and treats leprosy in 13 clinics across the region, provies treatment for local villages and carries out a range of outreach work to detect new cases of leprosy. St Francis Leprosy Guild is a longstanding partner.
Robiul (62, living in Sadar, the Dinajpur District, Bangladesh)
13 years ago, Robiul saw pigmented patches and nodules on his face and body. At that time, he worked in a rice mill and was married with children. Robiul’s symptoms worsened daily and looked ugly, so he decided to seek treatment. His biggest fear was that his hands and feet would be deformed. The local Leprosy Control Assistant visited to advise Robiul on where to seek help.
As well as treatment and advice, the Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre has helped Robiul generate his own income by providing him with a cow to be milked. He is now a step closer to his dream of becoming a dairy farmer.
13 years ago, Robiul saw pigmented patches and nodules on his face and body. At that time, he worked in a rice mill and was married with children. Robiul’s symptoms worsened daily and looked ugly, so he decided to seek treatment. His biggest fear was that his hands and feet would be deformed. The local Leprosy Control Assistant visited to advise Robiul on where to seek help.
As well as treatment and advice, the Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre has helped Robiul generate his own income by providing him with a cow to be milked. He is now a step closer to his dream of becoming a dairy farmer.
Robiul with his family
What I would like the world to know about leprosy is (that it is a) curable disease.
Monjur (46, Sadar, the Dinajpur District, Bangladesh)
Monjur was a day labourer on a farm when he noticed his left foot getting weaker. He was married with a daughter and dreaming of running a small hotel. He was only 42 years old and his symptoms were worsening day by day. When he couldn’t walk properly, he knew he had to get help. A Leprosy Control Assistant visited his village and advised him to get treatment for leprosy at the Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre.
The treatment successfully relieved the numbness in his foot and enabled him to walk again. DLC continues to supply footwear, advice and follow up treatment where needed.
Monjur’s fear was that if he couldn’t walk, he couldn’t work, and therefore provide for his family – but now, he runs a small tea stall which he plans to build up into a small restaurant, which sells rice and curry.
Monjur was a day labourer on a farm when he noticed his left foot getting weaker. He was married with a daughter and dreaming of running a small hotel. He was only 42 years old and his symptoms were worsening day by day. When he couldn’t walk properly, he knew he had to get help. A Leprosy Control Assistant visited his village and advised him to get treatment for leprosy at the Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre.
The treatment successfully relieved the numbness in his foot and enabled him to walk again. DLC continues to supply footwear, advice and follow up treatment where needed.
Monjur’s fear was that if he couldn’t walk, he couldn’t work, and therefore provide for his family – but now, he runs a small tea stall which he plans to build up into a small restaurant, which sells rice and curry.
Monjur with his wife and son.
What I would like the world to know about leprosy is a curable disease and it is not a terrible disease.
Subas (49, Sadar, the Dinajpur District, Bangladesh)
Subas was living at home with his parents, working as a farmer, when he developed pigmentation on his hands, and claw-like feet. He was just 12 years old and dreaming of buying some land to cultivate. The Leprosy Control Assistant advised him to get treatment when she saw his symptoms. He was frightened of attending social occasions as his feet and hands had become clawed.
The Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre both treated him and gave the family a cow for income generation. By doing this, DLC ensured that he and his family could provide for themselves in the longer term. DLC also continues to support Subas with advice, footwear and any follow up treatment.
Subas was living at home with his parents, working as a farmer, when he developed pigmentation on his hands, and claw-like feet. He was just 12 years old and dreaming of buying some land to cultivate. The Leprosy Control Assistant advised him to get treatment when she saw his symptoms. He was frightened of attending social occasions as his feet and hands had become clawed.
The Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre both treated him and gave the family a cow for income generation. By doing this, DLC ensured that he and his family could provide for themselves in the longer term. DLC also continues to support Subas with advice, footwear and any follow up treatment.
Soubas with his daughter and son
What I would like the world to know about leprosy is curable disease and it has no social stigma.
Abdul (64, Dinajpur District, Bangladesh)
Three years ago, Abdul saw some strange patches on his body and nodules on his hands, which he initially mistook for allergy symptoms. But when his son took him to the local hospital, he was referred to the Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre. When Abdul was diagnosed with leprosy, he was really worried and sad, but was offered reassurance that he could be cured.
DLC provided treatment and within a year he was fully cured, with no lasting effects of the disease. He is now very happy with his wife and children and continues to run his farm.
Three years ago, Abdul saw some strange patches on his body and nodules on his hands, which he initially mistook for allergy symptoms. But when his son took him to the local hospital, he was referred to the Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre. When Abdul was diagnosed with leprosy, he was really worried and sad, but was offered reassurance that he could be cured.
DLC provided treatment and within a year he was fully cured, with no lasting effects of the disease. He is now very happy with his wife and children and continues to run his farm.
Abdul wants the world to know that: “If a leprosy patient takes the treatment at an early stage, he can be cured.
