Uyo — Miracle homes and churches in Akwa Ibom State have been advised to always refer all cases of leprosy in their domain to the appropriate quarters. The Medical Superintendent of the Qua Iboe Church Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obom in Etinan local government area, Dr. Etok Antia made the call while exchanging views with leadership in his office.

Antia said the churches and healing homes could only act, as partners by praying to God that whatever treatment administered on the infected person should yield positive result.

He maintained that keeping the infected persons in their custody for prayers stands them at the risk of being infected as the diseases is air-borne.

The medical superintendent also said that some pastors have been known to contact tuberculosis due to their closeness to those infected, as tuberculosis is a milder form of leprosy.

He enumerated the challenges faced by the hospital to include rehabilitation, the total blackout by Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) for the past two years, accommodation among others. He pointed out that a major setback faced is stigmatisation, where some of the patients, in spite of their being cured still face stigmatisation and neglect from their families and even the communities to which they belong.