日本財団 図書館


2) Social and Economic Integration

 

Dr. P.K. Gopal

 

Leprosy has left behind a terrifying image in history and human memory of mutilation, rejection and exclusion from society. Unlike any other diseases, leprosy has unique social dimensions. The International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP) consider that the figure for persons who have obvious (Grade 2) deformity, together with those who are at risk of it (Grade 1)  should be in the range of 4 million people (ILEP Statement 1994)  . The physical deformities are the main cause for the fear which is responsible for stigma in leprosy.

In no other disease, the disease affected persons were made to leave their families and communities and formed themselves as a group to live separately. These places have been called as leprosy colonies, leprosy villages, sanatoriums, etc. At a time, when there is a great success in the treatment of the disease, it is also necessary to achieve socio-economic integration of the persons affected by leprosy in the society which would give a meaning for cure of the disease.

 

Social and Economic Integration:

The term "Social" has a very broad meaning What is meant by "Social"? The dictionary meaning for social is "living in company" , "One who is not practicing solitary life", etc. The social process or socialisation is a life long process. It begins with the family and is continued through school, contacts with relatives, friends, co-workers, etc. Every normal person desires to be useful to his family, social group and society in general. Each individual in the society has a role to play as father, mother, son, daughter, employer, employee and so on. The society expects the individual to take up the responsibilities and perform it for his and his family's and community's co-existence.

Leprosy as a disease interfere to disrupt the process of socialisation in certain proportion of persons affected with the disease. For some, the disruption is for a short or long period and for some others it is a life long disruption. To make them return to their original social and economic status or to bring them back to their own role in their society and make them to establish themselves in that roles to lead a normal life is termed as social and economic reintegration.

 

Social and Economic Reintegration through Rehabilitation:

Social and Economic reintegration of persons affected by leprosy could be achieved through rehabilitation measures which would bring a normalisation in their life.

Rehabilitation means a return to a state of complete normalcy. This definition encompasses the need for social and psychological assimilation as a necessary complement to economic independence. Scientific knowledge of leprosy regarding causation, cure and deformities have disproved the traditional beliefs and this scientific information has to reach the public. Education of community is very important to bring normalisation in the lives of persons affected by leprosy.

 

 

 

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