Else Kröner Fresenius Prize for Medical Development Cooperation 2023

Leprosy is one of the neglected tropical diseases and, according to the WHO, still occurs in more than 120 countries. Although leprosy has been curable for many years, sufferers are still ostracized from society. For fear of being ostracized, many people are reluctant to seek medical help if they suspect they have leprosy. However, if it is diagnosed and treated too late, it can result in visible and irreversible damage to the hands and feet, for example, as well as severe visual impairment.

INF Nepal has been committed to helping leprosy sufferers in western Nepal for 70 years. Today, INF Nepal carries out more than 30,000 outpatient treatments for people with leprosy every year and admits more than 450 patients with leprosy as inpatients. Plastic surgery is carried out in the hospitals, external specialists are trained and further educated and the organization has launched a comprehensive leprosy prevention and rehabilitation programme.

Dorothy Das Pariyar works as an occupational therapist at the only holistic leprosy rehabilitation center in Nepal. Leprosy has had a formative influence on Dorothy since her childhood, although she never contracted the disease herself. Growing up with her grandparents, who lived in an INF settlement for leprosy sufferers, she learned about the disease and its consequences at an early age. "There is so much we can do today to help people suffering from the disease or its consequences. In addition to operations and rehabilitation, pre- and post-treatment are also part of my work as an occupational therapist," explains Dorothy Das Pariyar.

Tham Bahadur Gurung works as a patient advocate and chaplain at the Green Pastures Hospital (GPH) in Pokhara, which was founded by INF Nepal. He himself contracted leprosy at the age of 22. It was only years later that he found out about the free leprosy treatments at Green Pastures Hospital, where he was finally diagnosed and treated and was able to complete his training as a chaplain. "I love all patients with all my heart, because I was in a similar situation myself and helping them now, as I was once helped, brings me peace and joy," says Tham Bahadur Gurung.

INF Nepal will use the prize money to continue its innovative approach to the prevention and treatment of people with leprosy in the following areas:

• Significantly strengthen contact tracing and preventive screening of family members of people newly diagnosed with leprosy
• Expand the training program to enhance the knowledge and skills of government health workers in high-burden districts
• Promotion of the program to improve the ability of leprosy patients to treat their disease themselves in order to prevent secondary disabilities
• Expanding the awareness campaign to reduce stigmatization and enable patients to live with dignity