Mallam Chinkoso – Heroes of Leprosy

The Leprosy mission is committed to the care of People affected with leprosy and their upkeep, through selfcare groups, this goal is easily achieved as it promotes prevention of disabilities and increases social participation.

Not all heroes are born, some are made, and in a small village along the outskirts of Kwali Local Government Area, a hero was made. Yangoji is a Peri-Urban area outside the City of Abuja home to over 600 persons and a community of people living with leprosy and other disabilities. Filled with aged people cured of their ailment, and a growing young population facing poverty, disease, lack of education and employment, it is located 72km away from the bustling capital city of Nigeria, Abuja on the Abuja-Lokoja expressway in Kwali area council of the Federal Capital City (FCT) 

The Leprosy Colony in Yangoji, is a community created by the FCT authorities to mop up all persons affected by Leprosy to settlements outside the capital city where they can be decently accommodated along with basic facilities to cater for their needs. This populated settlement is characterized by low-cost buildings and predominantly inhabited by people who are said mostly to have been cured of leprosy except for few; typically living poor, exposed, and vulnerable lifestyles.

Mallam Chinkoso, a beneficiary of one of the interventions of the Leprosy Mission, was trained to take care of Ulcers of persons affected by leprosy he learned to care for his sores and in turn began to lead the self-care groups in Yangoji. He has since cared for over 130 people with ulcers and sores, encouraging them to adhere to their regimen.

Being a survivor of leprosy himself he’s conversant with the challenges faced by persons affected by leprosy to access simple medical care. 

“I treat people that have wounds, all the time, and before they know it, their wounds have healed.” He said proudly while showing me his clinic. 

Although Mallam Chinkoso loves what he does, he cannot keep it up for much longer for his failing eye-sight to cataract. Spotting very dark glasses, he wears them to aid his sight, and protect his eyes from the sun. He’s hoping that he can be aided for treatment and surgery so he can continue taking care of those around him.