Stamping Out Leprosy

From Ng Highlands

UNDER wise supervision, and with the support of Government finance, the Hansenide Colony at Togoba, eight miles from Mt.

Hagen, in the New Guinea Western Highlands, has made remarkable progress in the five years of its exis tence.

Native lepers, or Hansenides, are continually arriving for treatment as the Colony’s influence spreads throughout ever-increasing areas of the Highlands. Up to June 30, 1954, 709 cases had been admitted, of which 363 were subsequently dis charged. These returned to their villages, increasing confidence and gaining the co-operation of the native people instead of driving the disease underground.

Situated on a typical highland plateau, the Colony was built by willing local workers. Temporary buildings were erected and gardens laid down. Within nine months the first patients had been admitted and a saw-mill was producing timber for permanent buildings.

Although some local Hansenides clamoured for admission even be fore the Colony opened, it was several months before the natural timidity of these primitive people began to break down. Before the year ended. 121 patients had re quested admission. By the end of 1951, 260 patients had been ad mitted, some being flown in, and others —often crippled with the dis ease—travelling on foot from great distances. By the end of 1952 the area within a 20-mile radius of the colony was considered reasonably free of the disease.

Most of the hospital is now operating in permanent buildings and is efficiently run by the Seventh-Day Adventist Mission. The main drug now being used is DDS (diamino-diphenyl-sulphone). It is easily administered, has no side re actions and has proved extremely effective.

Much work lies ahead of the

Colony. As the confidence of the native people increases, larger areas of thickly populated territory are coming under its control.

There are undoubtedly a great many Hansenides living in the thou sands of square miles which, as yet, have remained untouched. But a good start has been made. The Colony is being linked by road and will have its own airfield. It can be expected that the tempo of treat ment will be stepped up in the

future.

Lhb.

After the British destroyer Diamond hit the cruiser Swiftsure bows-on in manoeuvres a Court martial was held. The story came out of it that, as Swiftsure went astern out of the collision, the ad miral signalled to Diamond-. “What do you intend to do now?” Reply from Diamond's captain: “Buy a farm.”

Hansenide Colony, Mt. Hagen.