Leprosy is still endemic to many countries
Those affected will often have paralyzed hands and feet.
The infection can be cured by drugs but the paralysis is permanent.
It is possible to operate on these hands to restore function.
WORKING HANDS (Charity No 1150488) raises funds for a surgical programme, currently based at a leprosy hospital in Nepal, supporting a team of Hand Surgeons who travel there to operate and to teach the local surgeons. Working Hands is independent, not linked to any major organization, and all donated funds find their way directly to the front line of treatment, purchasing equipment and consumables for each trip. The Surgeons give their time for free.
Trustees: Donald Sammut, Nola Mackie, Stephen Loach.
Accounts/Auditing: James Lowther
On each visit, some 60 patients undergo surgery to restore function to their hands, enabling them to work, earn a living, support dependants and regain their self dignity. The project is currently working in Lalgadh, near Janatpur in the south east flat agricultural part of Nepal. Virtually all patients are illiterate farmers whose only resource is what they can earn with manual labour. This surgery makes a real and immediate difference to their lives.
Despite decades of intensive effort to control leprosy the disease remains an important global issue. In 1985 it was estimated that approximately 12 million people worldwide were affected by leprosy. The eradication of leprosy by the new millennium was first proposed in the 1980’s. This laudable aim was later modified to “elimination as a public health problem” and adopted by the World Health Assembly. This target has proved unattainable, to date. In 2006, prevalence was registered at just under two hundred and twenty five thousand . These are concentrated in specific countries, often clustered in geographical sites and ethnic groups Read further…