Mrs. Dwarkabai Rohidas Bhil, 45 yrs tribal lady, is a classic case of a victim of age-old myths and misconceptions about health care, especially leprosy. She stays with her husband and family of her daughter at village Bhilati Naigaon in Muktai Nagar block of Jalgaon district.

An ASHA who was trained under ALERT-INDIA’s MH-POID training activities rightly suspected Dwarakabai for leprosy. ASHA learnt that Dwarakabai, when she had seen initial signs of disease (patches/nodules on body), had approached to a local faith healer. She was in the belief that the treatment would cure her skin problem. But it did not happen. In the meanwhile her condition deteriorated, the disease progressed and she developed skin patches all over the body.

ASHA advised her to report to the nearest Primary Health Center at Anturli for examination and treatment which Dwarakabai declined. So ASHA informed her immediate supervisor and the local Sarpanch to intervene. But Dwarkabai was adamant on her decision. Lastly, the supervisor informed the block coordinator of the project and National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) staff and requested them to counsel Dwarkabai so she can take proper treatment. The block coordinator and the NLEP staff met local Sarpanch and Dwarkabai’s family and informed them scientific and medical details about the disease and treatment along with the adverse effect of negligence to medical care. It was revealed that Dwarkabai was also suffering from severe Type-I reaction.

The family and Sarpanch were informed that the disease may turn to infectious type and would be a cause for a spread in the community if there is further delay in treatment.  This caption line helped her family and Sarpanch to realise the severity of the problem. Immediately next day Dwarkabai was brought to the Leprosy Referral Center at Muktai Nagar. Dwarkabai was thoroughly examined and started with MDT along with treatment with special medication, steroids, for Type-I reaction which has potential for nerve damage leading to disability.

As steroid treatment showed clinical regression in a short time, Dwarkabai too, understood the importance and efficacy of modern medicine. She completed a full course of reaction treatment in MDT.

However, she was regularly followed up to see the progress of the disease. Her skin patches disappeared. Disease well arrested and there was no recurrence of reaction later. She is free from the risk of disability due to effective intervention.