Patlavat is 38 years old and was diagnosed with leprosy 12 years ago. She gave birth to her daughter and shortly afterwards, developed blisters on her feet. She visited a private doctor, who did not diagnosed her leprosy and prescribed injections for a disease she did not have. The private doctor was very expensive. Patlavat saw no sign of improvement and visited a local hospital. There, she was diagnosed with leprosy and sent to a Lepra referral centre. She was prescribed Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) for twelve months and had good counselling. The sensation in her feet and hands slowly improved. Every second day, Patlavat practices the self-care Lepra taught her and bathes her feet. Only her sister in law knows that Patlavat has leprosy. Her husband, an abusive alcoholic lives away in Hyderabad and returns occasionally to demand money. She is the main bread-winner of her home, working as a building site labourer, carrying cement and doing other heavy menial jobs. Patlavat says her children give her hope. She is now an expert in leprosy and has guided other new patients affected by leprosy to the referral centre.
Interview by Dr Diana Lockwood. All photos taken in Hyderabad, India 2019 ©Tom Bradley
