In 1974 she had one of her legs amputated. Three years ago the other one. She loves housework and doesn’t let others do it for


In 1974 she had one of her legs amputated. Three years ago the other one. She loves housework and doesn’t let others do it for her. Brazil is the world's second most affected country by leprosy. The Order of Malta has conducted a programme against the disease since 1984 in Piaui, one of the largest states of the North East, with a population of three million. Leprosy is highly endemic in the region, with detection rates reaching an average of 6 per 10,000. Focusing on the Picós region of 42 municipalities, the programme reaches out to nearly 300,000 people - 10% of the population of Piaui. In coordination with the government health structures and the local agents, the programme's team screens the sick, dispenses Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) and carries out awareness campaigns among the population. The programme provides an important support to government services by significantly improving the quality of screening, patient follow-up for all leprosy-specific medical conditions and the prevention of disabilities. Over 1000 consultations every year lead to the diagnosis of new cases. In 2006, consultations resulted in the diagnosis of 69 new cases of leprosy.


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