Thailand
People affected by leprosy in Thailand have historically been treated rejected and isolated from their communities. Although the numbers of people affected by this disease are now relatively few, the stigmatisation and discrimination towards those affected still continues.
ILEP Co-ordination
Netherlands Leprosy Relief is currently the ILEP National Co-ordinator for Thailand.
For further information regarding co-ordination, please contact the head office:
Netherlands Leprosy Relief
Postbus 95005
NL-1090 HA
Amsterdam
THE NETHERLANDS
Tel: +31 (20) 595 0500
Fax: +31 (20) 668 0823
E-mail: info@leprastichting.nl
ILEP Member Representatives in Thailand
| Representative | ILEP Member | |
|---|---|---|
| Heather Smith | TLMI | heather@mckeanhosp.org |
Key Contacts
| Organisation | Contact person | Address | Contact details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand Ministry of Public Health | Website: eng.moph.go.th
|
||
| Asia Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) | Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability Building,
Rajvithi Rd. Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400, Thailand |
Ph: 66-(0)-2354-7505, 66-(0)-2354-3525-29
Fax: 66-(0)-2354-7507, 66-(0)-2354-3530 E-mail: info@apcdproject.org Website: www.apcdproject.org/countryprofile/thailand/ |
|
| RPSI - Leprosy Elimination Control of Thailand, Raj Pracha Samasai Institute | Website: www.elimination.thaileprosy.org
|
Mckean Rehabilitation Centre
The McKean Rehabilitation Centre is now a well known hospital and rehabilitation facility, but it was once the first leprosy centre in Thailand, known as the “Chiangmai Leper Asylum”. It was established in 1908, by Dr James McKean, assisted by Pauliang Chantah Indravude. Many people affected by leprosy at this time had wandered until they came to beg in Chiangmai town in order to live, and found shelter and some community together living under the bridge. They went regularly to the mission clinic where they received compassion, food and wound care. Although there was no effective treatment for the disease, Dr. McKean asked the local ruler for land downriver to set up a leprosy centre where those rejected by society were given somewhere to live, and die, with dignity and love. Hostels, small cottages in village groupings, a clinic, a water tower and a church were built.
Today the McKean Rehabilitation Centre is the only leprosy referral centre in north Thailand.
The hospital provides a comprehensive range of services for patients disabled by leprosy and other diseases. These include reconstructive surgery, hospital-based disability care, and mobility aids for independent living.
Basic Statistics
| Year | Newly detected cases | No. of new cases MB (a) | No. of new female cases | No. of new cases among children (b) | No. of new cases with G2D (c) | Relapses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 652 | 416 | 40 | 72 | ||
| 2005 | 638 | 414 | 234 | 32 | 77 | |
| 2006 | 665 | 454 | 253 | 30 | 95 | |
| 2007 | 506 | 322 | 200 | 17 | 58 | 6 |
| 2008 | 401 | 275 | 167 | 12 | 49 | 6 |
| 2009 | 300 | 215 | 108 | 11 | 41 | 16 |
| 2010 | 405 | 267 | 159 | 26 | 60 | 9 |
| 2011 | 280 | 193 | 111 | 18 | 29 | 11 |
a MB = Multibacillary leprosy
b Children are cases of 0 - 14 years
c New G2D = WHO grade 2 disabilities among new cases
source data: WHO Weekly epidemiological records :No. 13, 2005, 80, 113-124 : No. 34, 2005, 80, 289-296 : No. 32, 2006, 81, 309-316 : No. 25, 2007, 82, 225-232 : No. 33, 2008, 83, 293-300, No. 33, 2009, 84, 333-340 : No. 35, 2010, 85, 337-348 : No.36, 2011, 86, 389-400 : No. 34, 2012, 87, 317-328.
News
Posted on 17/06/2008 by
ILEP is supporting the First Asia-Pacific CBR Congress which will be held 9th – 11th December 2008 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.
Categories: Asia, International Collaboration, Thailand
ILEP Activities
The following ILEP Members are supporting anti-leprosy activities in Thailand:
- American Leprosy Mission (ALM)
- Deutsche Lepra und Tuberkulosehilfe (DAHW)
- Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR)
- The Leprosy Mission International (TLMI)