27 Eyes on
Sylhet Preview
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Still Human By Alex Swinton Bangladesh is a demanding society in which to live and function. With a population of around 200 million, resources are scarce and access to them is achieved through competition, hard work and privilege. In the constant struggle for survival many are disadvantaged by birth, gender and misfortune. Leprosy is one of those misfortunes. This disease, once the scourge of the pre-industrial world, exists today almost exclusively in the majority world - a world that is ill equipped and ill financed to fight its ravages. For the afflicted there is little hope and no quality to their life. The Sylhet Leprosy hospital, established in 1890, is the largest leprosy hospital in Bangladesh. It provides free government funded care for up to 48 patients. Statistically, the prevalence of leprosy in Bangladesh is 2.2 in 100,000. Yet, despite 95% of people having a natural immunity to the disease, many of the patients are ostracised by their families and are unable to work because of poor education surrounding the illness. For three days I visited the hospital and was struck by the isolation, loneliness, and hopelessness felt by the patients. Leprosy, stigma and poverty have combined to rob these people of a future. 28
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