Man cured of leprosy encourages patients to seek treatment early

By Martha Deruage
A MAN who has been cured of leprosy is advising people to seek treatment early if they have the disease.
Kini Rava, 57, from Kalo village in Central, had leprosy on his right foot since 1983 but was cured after treatment. Rava cannot remember how he got the disease but it began from a sore on his right foot while living in Port Moresby.
“At that time I didn’t know what it was. My foot was affected so I moved back to the village,” he said.
“I was diagnosed as a leprosy patient when the Leprosy Mission was doing a skin clinic in Kalo in 2008.”
Rava was told he needed surgery at the Modilon Hospital in Madang.
His condition, called a foot drop, is caused by the weakness or paralysis of the muscles involved in lifting the front part of the foot.
“After the surgery in 2010, I was on rehabilitation treatment which worked,” he said. “From my experience the multi-drug treatment for leprosy is effective and I would encourage patients to complete their treatment – whether it’s six or 12 months.
“Patients must get the treatment as prescribed because it has a 100 per cent cure and it is fast. Family members be supportive and help the family member complete the treatment otherwise it could lead to permanent disability.”