Young girl battles harsh stigma of leprosy Noor’s story

When I was 11 years old, I stepped on a rusty nail when playing with friends. This led to a severe infection that spread deep into my bones.

Despite multiple hospital visits and two operations, my condition worsened. I developed ulcers which would sometimes heal, then reappear.

The adults in my community discouraged me, always asking about my wounds.  This made me feel so much worse.  I felt like my life was going to end.

Two years ago, a Leprosy Mission Australia project ran screenings and awareness initiatives in my community, working with my school, local imam, and doctor.

After receiving training, one of my teachers suspected that I might have leprosy, and through school screening and contact tracing, I was later diagnosed, and so was my dad.

We are both getting better because of MDT, the drugs used to cure leprosy. But we still fear community gossip. We don’t want any of our neighbours to know we have leprosy.

One day, I want to become a doctor, so I can care for others in my community.