Hansen’s disease or leprosy is a ‘Disease of Poverty’ that can be cured. Widely stigmatised throughout the centuries and still today, leprosy occurs in conditions of severe poverty – of malnutrition, overcrowding and lack of care. In the last fifty years the Order of Malta has fought for its eradication whilst caring for the afflicted. Today, research programmes for the care and rehabilitation of people with leprosy are operational, especially in Africa, South East Asia and South America.
The Order continues its work in combating major epidemics of tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS – still the prime causes of death in Africa. Its relief corps in South Africa provides life-changing HAART drugs for people living with HIV, regularly taking medicines via its mobile clinic to patients living alone in poverty and isolation. Malteser International fights against moderate and severe malnutrition in children in northern Uganda, where droughts and overpopulation have had disastrous effects. In Haiti – where the Order of Malta has been active since 1995 – cholera-prevention programmes are vital to stop the spread of the disease.
17/08/2017
From the humanitarian emergencies in Syria, Iraq and South Sudan to the more silent crises occurring far from the media spotlight, such as those in Pakistan, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
09/06/2016
Order of Malta among the organizers
07/04/2016
This year World Health Organization dedicates World Health Day to diabetes.
Map indicates capital cities of countries where the Order of Malta runs medical, social, or humanitarian projects
Magistral Palace, Via Condotti, 68 Rome - Italy
Tel. +39.06.67581.1 | [email protected]
