Nepal Self Care Unit
People with leprosy often lose sensation in their hands and feet. When there is decreased sensations, wounds and injuries can occur without the person realising. Without pain to let people know the condition of their injuries, wounds and ulcers can become severe and infected. If they are not treated carefully, it can result in limb amputation. Therefore, it is highly important for people with leprosy to learn how to prevent injury and care for their wounds.
The SCU provides residential self-care training where patients live at the unit for approximately 2 weeks at a time to learn skills in caring for existing ulcers and skills to prevent further injury. These skills are then practiced in practical daily activities to support patients to learn how to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical everyday activities and specific occupational tasks.
This allows them to return home equipped with skills to continue their normal activities and occupations without causing further injury or disability.
Patients are also provided with counselling sessions to learn strategies to support their mental health.
This year, the Self Care Unit was rebuilt. The new structure will have increased disability accessibility and modernisation of rooms and facilities.
During the rebuilding period, male patients were accommodated in a temporary unit, whilst female patients practiced their skills on the wards. All classes, except practical cooking classes conducted as per normal. Cooking classes were unable to be run due to no safe areas for cooking utilities to be located.
The unit has now been rebuilt and the first patients moved into the new unit in June 2024.
Please note: Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible. Due to added security measures, donations below $10 can no longer be processed online. To make a gift $9 or less, please call us on 1800 LEPROSY (1800 537 767).
If the area of need becomes fully funded, your gift will go where most needed.
The Leprosy Mission Australia is a member of the Australian Council for International Development and is a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct. The Code requires members to meet high standards of corporate governance, public accountability, and financial management. The Leprosy Mission Australia is committed to full adherence to the ACFID Code of Conduct. More information about the ACFID Code of Conduct may be obtained by contacting The Leprosy Mission Australia or visiting the ACFID website. Complaints relating to a breach of the ACFID Code of Conduct can be made to the ACFID Code of Conduct Committee.
We are committed to disability-inclusive development.
The Leprosy Mission Australia is a member of the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand, a network of organisations that support fairness in prices and wages, improved market access and poverty alleviation.