ILEP Activities

The following ILEP Members are supporting anti-leprosy activities in the Cameroon:

- (FAIRMED)
- Fondation Raoul Follereau (FRF)

Examples of Members’ Anti-Leprosy Work

FAIRMED

Within Cameroon, FAIRMED provides technical and financial support towards the Government’s anti-leprosy campaign. FAIRMED has put in place a Social Programme to reintegrate people affected by leprosy into their communities and villages, enabling them to live independently. Individuals affected by leprosy are encouraged to take an active part in this transition. Those whose impairments necessitate twenty-four hour care, or who no longer have family, are looked after in 40 leprosaria scattered throughout the Cameroon. Other typical activities carried out under this Social Programme include the building of houses, the financing of commercial activities to help them become financially independent (such as the promotion and financing of community fields or plantations) and the construction of bore holes for example.

Currently a very important aspect of FAIRMED work is its Social Programme. It is transforming leprosaria into autonomous organisations. For example, the leprosaria of Ngallan Ebolowa and Koutaba are being converted into old peoples’ homes. Since the reintegration of its remaining inhabitants, the leprosarium of Baleng in the West Province has become a Health Centre. The leprosarium of Nden (Sangmelima) in the South Province is collaborating with the Ad Lucem Foundation for the benefit of a large agro-pastoral project. The leprosaria of Soulédé in the North Province and Ambam in the South are now community villages. The leprosaria of Jamot and Mbalmayo have been made into hospitals.

Fondation Raoul Follereau

Fondation Raoul Follereau’s support is mostly in the north of the country. Through the clinic of St Lazare de Fignolé FRF helps to provide treatment for leprosy reactions, protective footwear, reconstructive surgery operations, hospital beds and protective footwear for example. Support is given to people who need it how to look after themselves. So that former patients can reintegrate into their community they may be given various forms of assistance depending on individuals’ needs. This may be in the form of housing, education, community work and rehabilitation. At St Lazare de N’Dingtiré similar assistance is given. Help is also given with monitoring and evaluation, research, health education and training and logistics. There are another two health centres in the north – St Lazare de Poli and the Mission catholique de Touboro, where similar activities are carried out.