On the occasion of World Leprosy Day, celebrated worldwide on January 29, 2021, the Order of Malta’s CIOMAL Foundation is very pleased to begin a new partnership with the Alliance Against Leprosy association, which is active in the fight against Hansen’s disease in Brazil, a country that is paying special attention to reducing the incidence of this disease.
68th WORLD LEPROSY DAY
This cooperation will allow us to intervene more specifically in the state of Mato Grosso, where the needs are colossal: every year, more than 4’000 new cases of leprosy are detected there, including 181 cases in minors under 15 years old.
The CIOMAL Foundation is pleased with this collaboration aimed at conducting actions targeted at training and skills transfer, such as
The creation of digital orthopedic shoe shops as well as the equipment of a truck and the training of specialized personnel.
Telemedicine, which was widely promoted during the pandemic. Many leprologists will be able to supervise general practitioners working in Mato Grosso state clinics, improving the quality of patient care and increasing the transfer of skills.
Ongoing technical training of local teams.
Visit to the Central Secretariat of Health of the State of Mato Grosso
At the same time, CIOMAL’s action in Cambodia continues, with the finalization of the transfer of the care units to the local authorities. Thanks to the support of the CIOMAL Foundation, the National Leprosy Program opens this year in Phnom Penh a dispensary of 8 beds to welcome patients suffering from leprosy.
This clinic is equipped with medical equipment donated by CIOMAL; in addition, two government doctors, who have specialized in leprosy at the CIOMAL center for the past 20 years, provide consultations there.
In addition, leprosy patients can be received in ad hoc units within two government hospitals, in Battambang and Kompong Cham, where care is provided for surgical interventions.
Activities in Cambodia are being intensified, including training and awareness campaigns to strengthen the transfer of knowledge about leprosy to the medical community and the population.
Finally, the CIOMAL Foundation’s mobile units crisscross the country, in partnership with the National Program, to identify new cases of leprosy and provide patients with the appropriate treatment to avoid severe disabilities. These field teams provide socio-economic support to the most disadvantaged families among people affected by leprosy, including building houses or toilets, setting up rural projects to ensure long-term subsistence, or providing school or university scholarships for young people. International partnerships between specialized NGOs have proven to be successful, and the one that CIOMAL Foundation and Alliance Against Leprosy are starting with local governments is essential for the eradication of Hansen’s disease. Our experience of more than 20 years in Cambodia has convinced us that this is the most effective way to achieve good results for both patients and health care teams. We would like to thank you wholeheartedly for your donation to help us eradicate this often neglected disease.
Student receiving a scholarship from the CIOMAL Foundation.
Building a house for a family in Cambodia
Reference Center for the Treatment of Physical Disabilities CRIDAC
International partnerships between specialized NGOs have proven to be successful, and the one that CIOMAL Foundation and Alliance Against Leprosy are starting with local governments is essential for the eradication of Hansen’s disease. Our experience of more than 20 years in Cambodia has convinced us that this is the most effective way to achieve good results for both patients and health care teams.
We thank you wholeheartedly for the donation you would like to make to help us eradicate this too often neglected disease.
I CAN CHANGE A LIFE TODAY
People affected by leprosy suffer from terrible discrimination and unjust isolation.
Patients often do not have access to drug treatments because they are too expensive for them. Even a small donation can help provide the necessary treatment and give people affected by leprosy a new life.