Kalang-Kalang leprosy colony / leprosy hospital
Address: Kompleks Kalang-Kalang, Kel. Rampoang, Kab. Luwu, Sulawesi Selatan.
Address: Kompleks Kalang-Kalang, Kel. Rampoang, Kab. Luwu, Sulawesi Selatan.
General information (2003)
The Kalang-Kalang settlement is actually a leprosy hospital. A small clinic and 14 traditional houses on poles - in very good condition - form the inner complex of the settlement / hospital nowadays, which spreads over about 1,2 ha. The houses were donated by the district health department and are used both as permanent places to live for people affected by leprosy and their families, and as wards for the hospital: in case a patient who does not live in the inner complex falls seriously ill, he could stay in one of the houses. The outer complex has no clear border and developed because some of the inhabitants of the original inner part of Kalang-Kalang looked for another place to stay instead of in the government-owned hospital, and so they built their own houses outside. Today 15 houses in the direct surroundings of Kalang-Kalang form this ‘outer’ complex, directly neighbouring the other residents of this region.
All in all - inner and outer complex - 136 people in 35 families are living in Kalang-Kalang. 53 of these are people affected by leprosy. They are living from a governmental contribution of Rp 60.000 per month per person, which compared to other settlements is quite a lot, but still not enough to live on. A small brick factory in Kalang-Kalang had to be closed when the soil as basic material was used up and for further production would have to be bought outside. Begging is prohibited on the basis of a self-made regulation and at violation a reason to be asked to leave the settlement. Small-scale trade and farming are the only options to earn a living.
The complex is remarkably clean and tidy. The policlinic, a small office house and a mosque are all in good condition and functioning well.
The leprosy affected long-term inhabitants of Kalang-Kalang have all been treated, at the moment three new inhabitants are still on MDT. If new patients arrive they mostly come from far regions to seek treatment in Kalang-Kalang. They only have to ask for permission from the director of the clinic, and are then accommodated in one of the houses with another family.
At present, Kalang-Kalang, 4 kilometres from the town of Palopo, falls under the authority of the district of Luwu, but as this district is in process to be parted in four districts, the settlement will belong to the municipal of Palopo.
Medical services
Kalang-Kalang is a leprosy hospital, which has extended and became a settlement. The clinic is a 3-room building, which theoretically has some space for in-bed treatment, but practically this space is taken up by a person affected by leprosy, who lives there permanently. The same is true for the 14 houses, which serve as wards with 43 beds. If someone both from inner or outer complex falls serious ill, he / she will be treated right in his / her own bed. In case a new patients needs care, it is no problem to find another bed.
The clinic is headed by Mr. Aena Tjatjo, who is helped by two permanent nurses –all of them employed by the district health department. Four additional nurses, a doctor and a dentist from the health centre Wara Utara are working in turns in the clinic. According to the head of this HC, it would be more efficient if the clinic would be managed altogether by the HC. Wounds and reactions can be treated in the clinic, as well as diseases and problems not related to leprosy. Septic or reconstructive operations are not possible, special shoes or artificial limbs are not available but have to be ordered in the leprosy hospital Daya, Makassar.
Non-leprosy patients from outside can also use the clinic, but only as a policlinic and only during the limited opening hours.
