Leprosy
mailing list – July 26th, 2006
Ref.:
Reorganization and rehabilitation models for former leprosy
colony-hospitals
From: de Pinho Andrade J. E., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dear
Dr Salvatore Noto,
Two
studies have been carried out in Brazil to determine the current
situation of these hospitals and its populations in Brazil in terms of
livelihood, housing conditions, health care situation, environmental
problems, labor and human rights and restructuring/reorganizing the
existing units under the viewpoint of those directly or indirectly
connected to the colonies.
The
aim of these studies was mainly to give a basis for the development
and future implementation of a policy of integral care of the people
who are afflicted by leprosy and are connected to the colonies and
their surrounding areas.
The
preliminary results of these two study groups tell that the
populations living at the moment in these remaining leprosaria
(colony-hospitals) have a poor health condition, in the sense they do
not have proper health assistance due to several reasons as follows:
inadequate health workforce; limited access to rehabilitation services
and health care; inadequate dwelling conditions; environmental
degradation and water pollution; low security conditions in the
colonies; prostitution; substance abuse and violence related to drug
trafficking.
I
am now writing a thesis on the role of former leprosy colony-hospitals
(leprosaria) as integrated units into Brazil’s national health
system under the perspective of a comprehensive physical and social
rehabilitation network. My
thesis is intended to be a humble contribution to the on-going process
in Brazil to restructure these hospitals.
Thus,
I would like to request that you upload the following questions on the
Leprosy Mailing List so that the experienced colleagues who are
dealing with leprosy and its severe complications would give feedback
to me. I sincerely
appreciate any feedback."
QUESTIONS:
1.
Could
you send me description (with source references) of cases – anywhere
– involving restructuring and/or reorganization of former
colony-hospitals (leprosaria)?
2.
In
your opinion, what would be adequate rehabilitation model(s) for
(former) leprosy patients currently living in former colony-hospitals
(leprosaria)?
Thank
you very much!
With
my very best regards,
José
Eduardo de Pinho Andrade
E-mails:
eduardo@hansen.org.br
and/or dudupandrade@uol.com.br
