TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Kupang Applied Psychology Center (LPT-Kupang) has developed an alternative treatment for leprosy patients in Lembata district, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Despite relatively low prevalence of leprosy, NTT is struggling to address the disease. “Leprosy can be found in almost all districts in NTT,” LPT-Kupang researcher Porat Antonius said yesterday.

Porat said that the psychology center adopts an alternative treatment called ‘A New Holistic Intervention’, combining the aspects of physical treatment, psychology, social services and spiritual aspect. Having rolled out the treatment for several months, LPT-Kupang claims it has cured 14 leprosy patients in Lembata.

Porat said that Indonesia has the third highest rates of leprosy in the world after India and Brazil in 2013. Some 12 regions in the country are facing leprosy problem, including Jakarta, Aceh, South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, Maluku and North Maluku and Papua.

In 2013, NTT had 479 leprosy patients. However, the figure could be higher because patients usually shied away from seeking treatment due to negative perceptions of leprosy.

Lembatas’ Damian Hospital currently treats 76 leprosy in-patents. The LPT-Kupang started the treatment of leprosy patients at the hospital in May 2016.

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