Zaibun Begum, 34
"My name is Zaibun Begum. I have suffered for 3 years. I started taking medicines regularly, and now I am happy. Take your medicines on time!"
From the interview:
My name is Zaibun. I live with my husband Sultan Khan, and our two daughters in Old Hyderabad. One is in class 7, and the other class 6. I went up to class 10 myself – I can write in Telegu. I got married in 2004 and have been a housewife ever since.
Four years ago I got a small blister on my hand. By the morning, I was covered with nodules, blisters and swelling and had a fever. It was over my hands, feet, face, and ears. Osmania, he first hospital I visited diagnosed it as leprosy. I didn’t really know much about it when I was diagnosed, but I cried a lot. I was afraid I might die, and then what would happen to my children…
Osmania didn’t give me details at all, they just told me to take the medication, so I took the MDT for a year. My husband was extremely supportive and used to take time off work to go with me to the hospital every two weeks to ask for more details. But they still weren’t helpful, even though he pushed them to do something. It seemed to be a different doctor every time. I had fever a lot, and a very small appetite. Sometimes I would vomit too. I visited many temples in this time. I even went to my mothers, but didn’t stay as she couldn’t do anything to help. After the medicine was complete I still had fever and some painful nodules, which confused the doctor, so they referred me to Lepra (Nallakunta).
Lepra counseled me and assured me it wasn’t a problem. They gave me steroids for the reactions, which gradually reduced. I’ve still been taking steroids in batches since then. Lepra were sweet and affectionate. They took very good care of me, and explained things very clearly.
During this whole period, my husband did all the cooking and housework. I kept my plate and glass separate, just in case. I didn’t go out during this time, but I can now, and do all the household chores. I’ve never had any anaesthesia. Before the disease I looked much younger and more beautiful. I’m back to normal now.
No one knows it’s leprosy I had – I always just told them I have fever.
If I was to say something to someone newly-affected by leprosy I’d tell them not to be afraid, but to take medication and you’ll be alright. Look at me, I’ve been through this, and I’m very happy now!
Photographed by on commission for Lepra as part of Diana Lockwood's New Face for Leprosy campaign.
Hyderabad, India 2019
"My name is Zaibun Begum. I have suffered for 3 years. I started taking medicines regularly, and now I am happy. Take your medicines on time!"
From the interview:
My name is Zaibun. I live with my husband Sultan Khan, and our two daughters in Old Hyderabad. One is in class 7, and the other class 6. I went up to class 10 myself – I can write in Telegu. I got married in 2004 and have been a housewife ever since.
Four years ago I got a small blister on my hand. By the morning, I was covered with nodules, blisters and swelling and had a fever. It was over my hands, feet, face, and ears. Osmania, he first hospital I visited diagnosed it as leprosy. I didn’t really know much about it when I was diagnosed, but I cried a lot. I was afraid I might die, and then what would happen to my children…
Osmania didn’t give me details at all, they just told me to take the medication, so I took the MDT for a year. My husband was extremely supportive and used to take time off work to go with me to the hospital every two weeks to ask for more details. But they still weren’t helpful, even though he pushed them to do something. It seemed to be a different doctor every time. I had fever a lot, and a very small appetite. Sometimes I would vomit too. I visited many temples in this time. I even went to my mothers, but didn’t stay as she couldn’t do anything to help. After the medicine was complete I still had fever and some painful nodules, which confused the doctor, so they referred me to Lepra (Nallakunta).
Lepra counseled me and assured me it wasn’t a problem. They gave me steroids for the reactions, which gradually reduced. I’ve still been taking steroids in batches since then. Lepra were sweet and affectionate. They took very good care of me, and explained things very clearly.
During this whole period, my husband did all the cooking and housework. I kept my plate and glass separate, just in case. I didn’t go out during this time, but I can now, and do all the household chores. I’ve never had any anaesthesia. Before the disease I looked much younger and more beautiful. I’m back to normal now.
No one knows it’s leprosy I had – I always just told them I have fever.
If I was to say something to someone newly-affected by leprosy I’d tell them not to be afraid, but to take medication and you’ll be alright. Look at me, I’ve been through this, and I’m very happy now!
Photographed by on commission for Lepra as part of Diana Lockwood's New Face for Leprosy campaign.
Hyderabad, India 2019