Leprosy gives rise to two types of stigmatization, one from the diseas
e and its neuropathic manifestations, with their resultant disability
and handicaps, and the other due to social ostracism. The process of r
ehabilitation should begin from the moment the disease is diagnosed, a
nd the earlier its detection the better the prognosis for patients. Th
e family unit to which the patient belongs plays a vital role in his s
ocial life. ensuring and enhancing his self-respect and dignity in soc
iety, and this fact must be recognized when evolving a strategy for re
habilitation. In no circumstances should a patient be removed from his
natural home environment. It is important that the community is made
leprosy conscious and gets more involved in hastening the social assim
ilation of patients. Communication plays an important role throughout
the rehabilitation process. One of the major functions is the removal
of the social stigma in the family and in the community and this invol
ves communication skills to ensure interaction between the staff and p
atients' families and the education of the community. A highlight of c
ommunity-based rehabilitation is the excellent rate of repayment of lo
ans by the patients to whom they were made. Also of note is the extent
to which former defaulters make repayments due to the continous rappo
rt and good interpersonal relationship between the staff and patients.
Most of the subjects of this study were drawn from the lower economic
strata of society and for them the most essential consideration is to
make a living, however meagre. This problem is augmented in the case
of leprosy sufferers, not only because of the fear and hostility which
their disease excites in others, but because of their deformity and h
andicap. No rehabilitation programme can afford to ignore these factor
s which so seriously disturb the normal life of patients.