Leprosy in Malaya

1. A good opportunity exists in Malaya for any national leprosy control. Institutional care is of the best that is available and it is felt that it has reached the saturation stage. Field work has not been established.
2. Thus leprosy has remained more of a medical problem than health.
3. Owing to the absence of any health education on leprosy, there exists an extensive gulf between the patient and the public thus creating problems of rehabilitation. The main rehabilitation performed by the government is on the employment of a few discharged patients in leprosy institutions. Though the objective of the Malayan Leprosy Relief Association is to rehabilitate, time is needed, and it may be years before the discharged patients can expect any benefits.
4. The apathy of medical officers towards serving in the Leprosaria is evidenced by the fact that since the establishment of the Leprosaria, barring 2-3 local officers, all have been outsiders on contract or otherwise. The World Health Organisation has offered a fellowship for six months and there has been no applicant from the medical officers in the Federation .