Several lepers at the Suakoko Leprosy Rehabilitation Center, Suakoko District are said to be living in complete poverty as the Liberian government has allegedly failed to give attention to their many cries.
Persons with leprosy suffer bacterial illness that affects the nerves, skin and respiratory tract.
The establishment of the leprosy camp which is popularly known as the Suakoko Leper Colony was done to host severe leper patients who were unable to overcome the fear and stigmatization from their housemates and other family members.
The Administrator of the Colony Justin Togbah told our correspondent that the institution is extremely finding it difficult to meet productive life standard due to the lack of several social services from government and other humanitarian partners.
According to him, the Leprosy Center is encountering strange diseases such as diarrhea and cholera due to the contaminated creeks they use for drinking and bathing.At current, there is no safe drinking water for inhabitants of the center as its two hand pumps have damaged.
Mr. Togbah who is also the principal of the only elementary school in the area names the lack of sitting capacity, leakage of the entire roof, the lack of supply from government through the Ministry of Education Bong County office as a condition that needs serious attention.
He warns that the kid attending the school would prioritize farming activities instead of learning in the rain of these conditions are not addressed.The colony administrator further calls on philanthropist organizations to come to the aid of the center.
The Suakoko Leprosy Rehabilitation Center is the only site in the county that was constructed by former Liberian President William V.S Tubman in 1955 and it currently hosts people suffering leprosy along with their siblings.
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Over three hundred people including the lepers themselves are living in the community with little or no help for the past two to three years from government and other partners.By Joseph Titus Yekeryan in Bong—Edited by Winston W. Parley
