Sorofo Leprosy Hospital / Settlement
Address: Jl Kalumata Sorofo, Ternate.
Present situation of Sorofo Leprosy Settlement.
According to the Directorate General Medical Care MOH, this institution is still defined as a leprosy hospital, although in reality it is a settlement for ex-leprosy patients. The settlement is subordinated to the Kabupaten Maluku Utara. It was erected in 1935 on 2,5 hectares of land, situated about 3 km from the Kabupaten’s capital and 5 km from Kota Ternate (Ternate is also used as a temporary capital for Maluku Utara province, later will be established in Halmahera island). At present, 73 ex-leprosy patients within 42 couples living here. The 42 couples consist of both husbands and wives are ex-leprosy patients, one of the couple is ex-leprosy patient and widows. Total number of ex-leprosy patients with their unmarried healthy children are 148 living with them. None of them are on MDT treatment anymore. There are no records describing the type of leprosy patients have had, all of them had been declared as released from treatment. The healthy inhabitants (never affected by leprosy) living in the settlement are recorded to be 58 persons within 15 healthy couples. The healthy couples are those married between their healthy children or with healthy people from outer side the settlement. Total inhabitants (ex-leprosy patients and healthy people) are 131 persons. Proportion of ex-leprosy patients to the total in habitants is 56%.
Address: Jl Kalumata Sorofo, Ternate.
Present situation of Sorofo Leprosy Settlement.
According to the Directorate General Medical Care MOH, this institution is still defined as a leprosy hospital, although in reality it is a settlement for ex-leprosy patients. The settlement is subordinated to the Kabupaten Maluku Utara. It was erected in 1935 on 2,5 hectares of land, situated about 3 km from the Kabupaten’s capital and 5 km from Kota Ternate (Ternate is also used as a temporary capital for Maluku Utara province, later will be established in Halmahera island). At present, 73 ex-leprosy patients within 42 couples living here. The 42 couples consist of both husbands and wives are ex-leprosy patients, one of the couple is ex-leprosy patient and widows. Total number of ex-leprosy patients with their unmarried healthy children are 148 living with them. None of them are on MDT treatment anymore. There are no records describing the type of leprosy patients have had, all of them had been declared as released from treatment. The healthy inhabitants (never affected by leprosy) living in the settlement are recorded to be 58 persons within 15 healthy couples. The healthy couples are those married between their healthy children or with healthy people from outer side the settlement. Total inhabitants (ex-leprosy patients and healthy people) are 131 persons. Proportion of ex-leprosy patients to the total in habitants is 56%.
At present the government subsidies a ration which is consisting of: Rice 10 kgs, Sugar 3kgs, cooking oil 2kgs, salt 1 kg, kerosene 2 liters, soap 5, tea 3 boxes, and 5 packs of super mie noodle. The rations are distributed in 3 monthly bases with the criteria as follows: One pack per one ex-leprosy patient per month, but if female ex-leprosy married with normal person, they will not get any ration.
Turnover of inhabitants, the mechanisms of selection to be admitted into Settlement.
Inhabitants are discharged from the Settlement are under the following conditions:
- Died.
- Cured without social problems, they should go back to their families or relatives.
- Bad behavior, not co-operative.
The criteria for admission to the Settlement:
- There is no written criteria for the admission of patients. Any leprosy patients can be accepted as long as place and budget are available.
- The patients are free of charge.
- Since 1998, the Settlement has been closed for new admission.
Medical functionality of the Leprosy Settlement
The In-Patient Department with 14 beds has not in function anymore since 1998. Before the Indonesian crisis (1998) there was a flying surgeon from Makassar (Daya Leprosy Hospital) to performed surgeries here. OPD is run by one nurse and one midwife. At present there is no doctor assigned for the settlement
