In the life of a leper

Shameen Khan Published January 30, 2012
A hallway leading to the leprosy patients ward for males at the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) in Karachi.
A hallway leading to the leprosy patients ward for males at the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) in Karachi.
A view from the top of the waiting area at the MALC Hospital.
A view from the top of the waiting area at the MALC Hospital.
The entrance to the MALC Hospital, Saddar, Karachi.
The entrance to the MALC Hospital, Saddar, Karachi.
Muhammad Anwar a patient suffering from leprosy since 1965 recently returned to MALC Hospital with multiple body ulcers.
Muhammad Anwar a patient suffering from leprosy since 1965 recently returned to MALC Hospital with multiple body ulcers.
Ameer Hamza, a patient from Turbat, Balochistan.
Ameer Hamza, a patient from Turbat, Balochistan.
Anees Begum from Larkana was diagnosed with leprosy after she gave birth to her daughter.
Anees Begum from Larkana was diagnosed with leprosy after she gave birth to her daughter.
Bakh Munir, a leper who was quite satisfied with his surroundings and treatment.
Bakh Munir, a leper who was quite satisfied with his surroundings and treatment.
Majority of the leprosy patients return after rehabilitation with skin ulcers particularly on their feet.
Majority of the leprosy patients return after rehabilitation with skin ulcers particularly on their feet.
Mohammad Shaukat Aziz, a leprosy patient at the MALC Hospital lays his head down as his mind takes him a wandering.
Mohammad Shaukat Aziz, a leprosy patient at the MALC Hospital lays his head down as his mind takes him a wandering.
A view from the male wards window, over looking the ambulances parked outside the building.
A view from the male wards window, over looking the ambulances parked outside the building.
Dishes on a patient's bed side table.
Dishes on a patient's bed side table.
Sultana is a leprosy patient from Peshawar who was brought to the MALC Hispotal as an orphan. She is now married to a leper who is also under rehabilitation at the MALC Hospital.
Sultana is a leprosy patient from Peshawar who was brought to the MALC Hispotal as an orphan. She is now married to a leper who is also under rehabilitation at the MALC Hospital.
A kitchenette outside the female ward.
A kitchenette outside the female ward.
Pir Ali, a rehabilitated patient who is now working as the head of the kitchen at the MALC Hospital.
Pir Ali, a rehabilitated patient who is now working as the head of the kitchen at the MALC Hospital.
Reyaz ul Hasan, aged 65, is a leprosy patient who is an ex-librarian from one of the most renowned school's in Karachi.
Reyaz ul Hasan, aged 65, is a leprosy patient who is an ex-librarian from one of the most renowned school's in Karachi.

Leprosy remains one of the most stigmatised diseases across the globe, and Pakistan is no exception to this rhetoric. However, so many myths that engulf leprosy and lepers are quite untrue and need to be eradicated from the society. On World Leprosy Day, I decided to take a tour of one of the biggest leprosy hospitals in Pakistan and met people who are no different than you and me. Their smiles and gratitude could not hide the pain and afflictions brought onto them when they are considered a pariah by their own families. These courageous people, battling against the odds, were overwhelmingly ‘alive’ and happy to share their stories with me. — Text by Faiza Mirza/Dawn.com, Photos by Shameen Khan/Dawn.com

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