Categorisation of all leprosy affected persons
(All living leprosy affected persons in the area need to be studied)
1. Persons who do not have any deformity and do not have any social and/or economic problem. Leading a normal life.
2. Persons who have deformities but do not have any social and/or economic problem.
Leading a normal life.
3. Persons who do not have any deformity but have social and/or economic problems just because they have/had leprosy.
4. Persons with deformities whose social and economic life are under threat for dislocation.
5. Persons who have deformities whose social and economic positions have been dislocated already. Their normal life conditions are very much affected (Rehabilitated) .
6. Persons who are aged and who have reached a state of destitution because of severe deformities and the end result of long sufferings due to dislocation of their socio-economic life conditions.
As far as Socio-economic rehabilitation is concerned the first and second category of persons do not need it. The sixth category of persons are also not suitable for rehabilitation. Because of their old age and severe deformities. They must have special care. This might be in the form of food help with daily activities, shopping assistance and financial support. Some persons may need institutional care. The persons who fall in the third category need counselling and psychological support.
Persons in the fourth and fifth category are very important. They need to be investigated either to prevent rehabilitation or to provide socio-economic rehabilitation. The people in the 6th category are old and/or much disabled. They have no money, no homes, no jobs and no family to take care of them. They must have special care. This might be in the form of food, help with daily activities, shopping assistance and financial support. Some persons may need institutional care.
The identification of eligible persons needing the community based rehabilitation in an area is a major step in planning for rehabilitation. It is possible to identify the target groups for Socio-economic rehabilitation by this method.
Implementation of Socio-Economic Rehabilitation：
We have a large number of non-government and government agencies engaged in the leprosy treatment programmes in all leprosy endemic countries. The case load of patients have been declining rapidly due to Multi-Drug therapy. Many institutions are contemplating to switch over to different other health services. The existing infrastructure in various institutions which are readily available could be very well utilised for providing socio-economic rehabilitation services. For this purpose it is necessary to train the personnel to undertake this task and also the funds need to be allocated.
Majority of leprosy affected persons are in developing countries with poor economic conditions. Leprosy adds their misery.
