Leprosy
mailing list – May 4th, 2006
Ccn: all.
Ref.:
“the
continuation of the paper on Impact of Prevention of Disability (POD)
Services by Drs Ganapati and Pai.”
From:
Soutar D., London, UK
Dear Salvatore,
Re:
the continuation of the paper on Impact of Prevention of Disability
(POD) Services by Drs Ganapati and Pai
As
noted in my earlier response, this study was only geared to
identifying those with Grade 2 Disability and strictly speaking should
be referred to as a study relating to the Prevention of Worsening
Impairment and Disability in those persons who were not detected
and treated early enough.
I
would also take issue with a number of inconsistencies.
The
earlier paper referred to 839 patients while this second one refers to
893.
The
title refers to POD as meaning Prevention of Disability but then in
the third sentence refers to POD as meaning Prevention of Deformities.
This
last point moves me to argue that there is still far too much
inappropriate use of the term ‘deformity’. In the paper
submitted, the first sentence of the introduction reads,
“Deformities due to leprosy have been considered as the main reason
for dehabilitation and social ostracism of patients.”
In my
understanding there are two things which cause dehabilitation and
social ostracism. The
physical problems of impairment/disability are caused by the nerve
function impairment and the sequelae brought about by M. leprae.
This we need to address through our efforts to sustain
effective and quality leprosy services which allow for the earliest
possible detection and treatment.
Social ostracism on the other hand, is primarily caused by
those people who discriminate against those with a physical
impairment. This we can
only tackle by challenging negative attitudes and negative language
both in the community and society at large but also among those
leprosy workers who should know better. I challenge all your
readers to try and avoid the term “deformity“ wherever possible. And I have the support of
William Shakespeare!
“In
nature there’s no blemish but the mind; none can be called deformed
but the unkind.” William Shakespeare, Twelfth
Night.
Best
regards,
Douglas Soutar
Mr
Douglas Soutar
General
Secretary
International
Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations
doug.soutar@ilep.org.uk
www.ilep.org.uk
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7602 6925
