GUYANA has eliminated leprosy at a national level and the fight is now on to have the disease eliminated at a sub-national level. The Leprosy Clinic based in Georgetown sees fewer than one hundred cases each year but its Director, Mrs. Heather Morris-Wilson, believes that should authorities become complacent the disease will continue to spread.Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease (HD), is a chronic infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. It takes its name from the Latin word Lepra, which means “scaly”, while the term “Hansen’s Disease” is named after the physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen.

“It is a disease of poverty,” explains Dr Wilson. Hence, persons exposed to poor housing, bed bugs, overcrowding, poor sanitation and water are more susceptible to the disease. “It tends to spread in these conditions. So you find a lot of persons in the slums would get it.”
“Right now for the country it is not a problem. But we cannot be complacent. We have to keep working and reaching those areas that are without clinics. Certain areas have families that keep transmitting the disease,” Dr Wilson reported.
Importantly, she noted that Guyana sees ‘imported’ cases from time to time because neighbouring Brazil has the largest amount of cases per year.
Dr Wilson, Director of the Ministry of Health’s Leprosy Programme, spoke with the Guyana Chronicle at her office located inside of the Palms Geriatric Home Compound, Brickdam.
According to her, one of the first clinical signs that indicate leprosy is a noticeable rash on the skin where there is loss of feeling or sensation. The rash can develop on any part of the body depending on the type of leprosy.
In addition to skin rashes, there can also be a tingling sensation in the hands and or feet, and a burning sensation of the skin because the disease affects the nerves. Furthermore, there is loss of feeling, no sweating and hair growth in the affected area. “We call it a numb spot disease,” Dr Wilson said.
A cotton wool test for sensation would then be in order. It is referred to as the ‘pinch and touch’ test. On most occasions, when it is indeed leprosy that the person has, he will not be able to differentiate a pinch from a touch.
Some persons who suffer with the disease also have to endure weakness, paralysis in the hands and feet, and affected muscles of the eyes.
“Leprosy treated late can cause severe eye complications and lead to blindness because of weakness of the eyelids and the muscles of the eye. So we would need to do a skin smear test where we just use a lymph fluid. We don’t need blood,” Dr Wilson explained.

Today is World Leprosy Day
Special activities are planned for the observance of World Leprosy Day today in an effort to increase awareness that leprosy is present and is a “neglected” disease.

“Leprosy Day is to remember these persons and make them feel wanted. There still is a lot of stigma and discrimination against them,” Dr Wilson observed.
She informed that on January 30, a fun day is planned for leprosy patients and they will be treated to gifts, food, games, etc. The day before (Jan 29), a team will be working in a health booth that will be set up in front of Scotia Bank on Carmichael Street.
Meanwhile, Dr Wilson explained that the Leprosy Clinic would also entertain persons suffering with various skin infections. Observing these would be the only way of knowing whether or not to diagnose leprosy.
She works at this location on Wednesdays only as she also tends to other clinics across the country. She is in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) on every first Tuesday of the month; in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) on every second Friday of the month (Best, Parika and Meten-Meer-Zorg Health Centrer); in Regions 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) and 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) on every third Monday and Tuesday.
On the first Friday of the month she is at Lodge Health Centre while on every second Tuesday she is at Soesdyke. She goes to the health center at Clonbrook on every fourth Tuesday and at Grove Health Centre on every third Friday. On every fourth Friday, she is at David Rose.
Dr Wilson stressed that leprosy is curable and she encouraged anyone who suspects they are suffering from the disease to visit the center on Brickdam. Here is where the drugs are stored and they are available free of charge.
“We have nurses who can also educate them and make them more aware of the disease. We don’t just provide treatment but we have to follow up with them for no less than three years. We have to work at empowering them and reintegrating them into their families and the community,” she informed.

Leprosy – Is it a curse from God?
Dr Wilson has had patients who confessed to her that they opted to consult a witch doctor for help because they believe leprosy is a curse from God.

“Most of our patients sometimes go to witch doctors that give them remedies. I have actually have patients who confessed to me, and learned people too, not the layman. Learned persons have been fooled into thinking that,” she said.
However, “everyone” is susceptible to leprosy. “You develop leprosy depending on your body’s immunity. So you have to try to build your immune system; exercise, eat your proper meals. Just be healthy. There is no way to really prevent it. You can obtain it in indirect ways,” said Dr Wilson.
Transmission can occur by someone who has a lot of leprosy in their body and If treatment is not started, this individual can cause the bacteria to spread. “If it is discovered late, it can cause deformity because of the nerve damage.”
It has been found that leprosy patients are often shunned, even by family members, because the disease comes with visible deformities. And hence, such individuals feel discriminated against. How vital to make these ones feel wanted and loved, Dr Wilson said.
Written By Telesha Ramnarine