It was reported that Leprosy Control had been introduced since the era of Dutch
occupation in Indonesia. There was no specific drugs for treatment at that
time. The endeavours were started with collecting the leprosy patients, put
them in the temporary settlements for isolation and general treatment. The
purpose of isolation was also to protect the transmission of the disease and
for the social economic aids. It was a fact that many leprosy patients were
found through out the country. The authorithy then established many permanent
settlements and leprosaria (leprosy colonies).
After the independence of Indonesia,
the government established the institution for leprosy control programme and
started with mono DDS for its treatment. Encouraging the management of leprosy
patients by upgrading the settlements (leprosy colony), establish special
clinics and also erected some leprosy hospitals.
After years many patients has been
hospitalized then the government found difficulties to send them back to their
homes. It was happened due to the high stigma and leprophobia amongst the
community. The hospital became overcrouded due to social problems
The government is aware of the
complexity of leprosy problems, which is not only in medical part but include
socio-economic problems. The Ministry of Health alone cannot solve these
problems. Therefore the government established Intersectoral Board to handle
leprosy problems compherehensively in 1979. The government through the
Intersectoral Board, instructs that the leprosy problems should be handled
comprehensively. The members of this board consist of Ministry of Home Affairs,
Social Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, Ministry of
Transmigration, Ministry of Education and Culture and Ministry of Religion. The
member roles of the Intersectoral Board were formulated and evaluated
periodically. In reality, the Intetrsectoral Board was not function well as
expected.
Since the introduction of MDT
programme in Indonesia many leprosy patients has been cured. The
registered prevalence rate has been fallen down from year to year and on July
2000, Indonesia has achieved elimination of leprosy national wide (registered
prevalence rate less tahn 1/10,000 pop).
After decades of the leprosy control
programme, it is important to know, how is the situation of leprosy
colonies/settlement/leprosy hospital today? To describe the situation,
the inventory of Leprosy colonies /Settlements, Leprosy Hospitals has been
conducted in 2003.
