There is Life After Leprosy

If not for his grandmother, a 20-year-old Duduza man would be paralyzed after being infected by chronic disease leprosy. Now, Sibusiso Tshabalala is living proof that leprosy is a treatable disease, writes Gabi Khumalo.

Mr Tshabalala was diagnosed with the disease at the age of seven while in Grade 2. He was the second in his family to get the disease - the other was his late grandfather.

Speaking to BuaNews about his experience, Mr Tshabalala said when he first noticed a lighter patch on his face; he thought it would soon disappear.

“I didn’t pay any attention thinking it would disappear without even applying ointment. My family took me to various doctors but they could not help me,” said a soft spoken Mr Tshabalala.

He only suspected that something was wrong when his knees, feet and hands became numb.
I couldn’t feel a thing and my grandmother identified the symptoms from my grandfather, said Mr Tshabalala.

Leprosy is a disease caused by the mycobacterium leprae bacteria which affects the body’s nervous system, concentrating on the cooler parts of the body.

Mr Tshabalala was quickly admitted to hospital and put on a six-month course of treatment.

“I stayed in the hospital for six months and was put on multi-drug treatment (MDT), which I took some everyday, some once a week and others once in a month,” he said with a smile.

Since he was not paralysed, Mr Tshabalala did not drop out of school, he attended classes in the morning and returned in the afternoon.

However, due to the stigma attached to people with leprosy due to lack of knowledge about the disease, Mr Tshabalala was rejected by his peers.

“I felt different from other people and rejected by my school mates who began calling me names especially at the time when I was still in the hospital and attending school.

“Pupils said I was cursed and started telling each other that if they steal they would be like me,” recalled Mr Tshabalala.

He said with the support of his parents and four siblings, he stayed positive and knew that one day he would be cured and live a normal life like other people.

After being discharged from the hospital, Mr Tshabalala continued with the treatment for two more years and finally fought off the disease and was declared healthy in 1997.

While taking treatment, Mr Tshabalala also received support from The Leprosy Mission in Johannesburg which checked up on him from time to time making sure that he took the medication regularly, the relationship continued even after he completed the treatment.

“I continued to visit the mission offering my assistance, they paid for my school fees in Grade 9 at Potchestroom Boys High School and matriculated in 2006,” said Tshabalala.

Through the mission’s assistance, last year Mr Tshabalala was placed in a learnership program at Boston College and is continuing with his learnership in the Johannesburg Nedbank offices doing administration work.

His dream is to become a financial advisor and he said he is interested in anything to do with finance as he was studying accounting at school.

His advice to other leprosy patients is to live, dream and work hard to achieve their goals.

“Having leprosy is not a curse but a treatable disease just like TB.

“Unfortunately many people are still unaware of the early signs and do not seek help in time, there’s a need for more campaigns to raise awareness about the disease,” he said.

Leprosy Mission Director Theo de Villiers said last year there were 50 new leprosy patients in South Africa, a slight increase from 2006 where there were 36.

About 200 000 people in Africa have leprosy, with South Africa having about 2000 patients.

There are about two million patients around the world; India is the highest with 60 percent and 40 percent from 119 countries including South Africa.

Mr de Villiers said the organisation is supported by the Health Department which helps them in accessing free medication for the patients.

“We have an agreement with the department which allows us to use a space from the clinics and hospitals for the patients where they get medication and checked by the doctor who then prescribed medication for them,” said Mr de Villiers.

Echoing Mr Tshabalala’s sentiments, Mr de Villiers said: “There is life after discovering the disease and help is available, some people especially in deep rural areas only seek help after the disease left some damages to the limbs, something which could be avoided.”

The Leprosy Mission has called on individuals, churches and community groups to get involved in World Leprosy Day on Sunday, 27 January 2008.

Each year, the last Sunday in January is marked as a day to focus on the problems of leprosy and those it affects.

To raise awareness about the disease, the mission will be distributing pamphlets and posters to libraries with information about the disease and how to help patients.

The main event will be held in Mozambique where various smaller events will take place to raise awareness about the disease.

Source BUA

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