Berief history of the Kaimana leprosy colony.
During the visit time, there is no more leprosy colony found in Kaimana. Interviews are made with people who live surrounding the ex-leprosy colony know about the leprosy colony. Two people has been interviewed i.e Mr. R.A Hassanoessy (57) a staff of the Kaimana HC (retirement in 1994) and Mr. Musa Suaifisa (58) former a staff at Leprosy colony (1960 – 1971).
The following are the summary of the interviews:
The leprosy colony has been closed since 1971. All patients are sent back home and they could use Kaimana HC for ambulatory treatment. According to the available document ‘Riwayat Singkat Tanah Leprosy’ issued by the Kaimana sub-district (1994), it was stated that the leprosy colony had been handed over from the owner (Zending) to the government of Indonesia in 1960 with a ceremonial event. Zuster Yohana (Dutch) also handed over her responsibility of the leprosy colony to Mr. Musa Suafisa. Mr. Hassanoessy and Mr.Suafisa attended in the occasion of the ceremonial event. As to memorized the history, they built one monument (Tugu) made from cement in the center of the leprosy colony compound. During that time there were 10 houses for leprosy patients, one building for rehabilitation (clinic?). and 2 houses for staffs. There is no report when the leprosy colony erected.
At present there is no more leprosy colony found, only the Tugu (Monument) is still there. Kasuari trees coconuts are growing which were planted by the leprosy patients some years ago.
