Mr Harrikrisna (Harri) Anenden, WHO staff member, wins the Freddie Awards, Infectious Diseases Category, of the International Health & Medical Media Awards for his documentary film:
«The Mystery Disease».
There are some diseases that receive very
little attention but that have a devastating
effect on the lives of those who are
infected. The synopsis below of this award
winning documentary is a very real
description of its contents. I must admit I
was not able to finish. I tried to force
myself, thinking of all those persons,
adults and children alike who are victims
of this horrible disease with little chance
of treatment. (md/WHO).
Words written in white on black. Words of warning: this film is not for the faint-hearted. It is not for those who prefer to look away from reality.
An eye looks out of a face distorted by disease.
A woman struggles courageously to go on
living, despite her disabled leg. Children with
open wounds scream with pain in a hospital. In
truth, this film is not for the faint-hearted.
Yet, the disease they suffer from, this mystery
disease, does exist. The effects shown in
the film are for real. The disease is called
Buruli ulcer. Why the mystery disease?
Because, although it has been around for a
long time, it has only been identified fifty
years ago. It is still not known how exactly
the disease is transmitted.
Buruli ulcer is the most serious mycobacterial
infection known to man, after tuberculosis
and leprosy. It may become an even worse
scourge than leprosy. It is just as long-lasting
and difficult to treat, and destroys tissues,
muscles and sometimes even bones. Unlike
these two diseases, there are as yet no effective
drugs to treat Buruli ulcer. At present the
only alternative is surgery.
The first symptom is a small nodule under
the skin, that can easily be excised. But once
the disease progresses, the surgery required
is extensive, difficult and very painful. When
the bone is attacked, amputation may be the
only option.
Buruli ulcer is present in 30 countries around
the world. But West Africa is the most severely
affected. In some of the endemic regions, the
legacy of Buruli ulcer is all too visible in the
deformities that affect the populations.
This film does not only show the horrendous
and devastating consequences of the
disease. It is also a story about people’s
courage in facing the odds: the courage of the
victims, who continue fighting in the face of
adversity and suffering; and the courage of
the doctors and nurses who give unremittingly
of their time, knowledge and energy to
help the victims.
This WHO film aims to draw the attention
of the international community on this disease
and appeals for help to find solutions.
We can close our eyes to avoid seeing; but we
cannot remain indifferent to the victims’ suffering
and to the children’s tears.
Winner, Infectious Diseases Category:
N° 641 June 2005