Transformation of a leprosy hospital in Nepal into a rehabilitation centre: the Green Pastures Hospital experience.

Green Pastures Hospital for leprosy patients in Pokhara Nepal, was established in 1957 by the International Nepal Fellowship (INF) in a decade which saw the establishment of many similar hospitals in other leprosy endemic countries. In recent years, mainly due to significant improvements in leprosy control services and the wide implementation of multiple drug therapy (MDT) for all patients, many of these specialist hospitals have encountered 1) a decline in prevalence rate, 2) a large decline in the percentage of patients presenting with WHO grade 2 disability, 3) a decline in the previous indications for hospital admission, e.g. immunologically mediated reactions, and 4) a need to develop financial independence making them less dependent on donor agencies. In addition, the decision to change from specialist to general services opened up the possibility of using facilities and expertise for the rehabilitation of non-leprosy affected persons, whilst also moving towards the reduction of stigma and prejudice against patients with leprosy. This paper describes the process of 'transformation' of an established and well known leprosy hospital in Western Nepal from 1997 onwards into a general rehabilitation hospital. Careful preparation, with full involvement of existing staff and co-operation with other agencies in the hospital catchment area were key factors in what has now become a successful venture. Surgical procedures and orthopaedic appliance services for non-leprosy affected persons have increased in recent years and the introduction of a dermatology service has resulted in out-patient attendance rising from about 1000 in 1999 to 4500 in 2003. No evidence of reluctance to attend and use the facilities offered by this hospital because of stigma against leprosy has been encountered. Many of the changes described have been made in order to reduce financial dependence on donor sources of support, but the underlying reason for transformation is still based on the vision of the INF mission to work for and improve the condition of the marginalized in society.