“I have been suffering all these years with leprosy. On top of that, I went to witch-doctors just to seek help, but that even worsened the condition”. 

These are the words of Phoster Nyambe Matengu Mushwaule from the Zambezi region, who has been suffering from leprosy since 2014. 

 When it occurred, he intended to go to hospital the same year, but waited to see if he would get better. 

The following year, Mushwaule decided to go to hospital. 

“I went to hospital, and I didn’t get any help as they couldn’t find anything in my body, but the pain continued,” he recalled during an interview with the health ministry recently. The World Health Organisation states that Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Also referred to as biblical leprosy, the disease affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes. Leprosy is known to occur at all ages, ranging from early childhood to old age. 

The disease is curable, and treatment during early stages can prevent disability. It is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contact with untreated cases. 

Mushwaule, who is suspected to be in his early 60s as he has no documentation, attempted to apply traditional herbs to his body. But it got worse, and his body burned. 

He started noticing certain colours on his body, and could not go in the sun due to an allergy. 

“I used to stay indoors. A friend encouraged me to go to hospital, suggesting that I might receive assistance. But nothing at all happened,” he stated sadly.

This illness did not start with him; one of his family members had the same illness, but unfortunately passed away from it. 

Mushwaule said he has lost all hope in any recovery process.

During the observance of World Leprosy Day at Katima Mulilo, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said in many parts of the world, the disease continues to carry a great stigma as many people with leprosy-caused disabilities suffer terrible discrimination. He noted that they are at times regarded as “cursed”, and may be forbidden from collecting water from the common tap.

“Last year alone, we notified 22 leprosy cases till September 2023. About seven cases are from the Zambezi Region, with 11 cases of leprosy from the Kavango region, three cases from the Oshana region, and one case from the Omusati region,” said Shangula.

He added: “During the current financial year, regions have been training their health workers in the prevention and management of leprosy, which we are confident will enhance early detection and management. In fact, in one of the regions, leprosy was detected in young boys just before it caused disabilities and deformities”.

Every day, nearly 600 more people are diagnosed with and start treatment for leprosy worldwide. 

In 2022, South-East Asia reported 124 377 new cases of leprosy, contributing to the worldwide statistic of 174 059 new cases that year. Shangula said it is estimated that millions more go undiagnosed, and this is no different in Namibia.

-psiririka@nepc.com.na