The following description is cited from: N D Fraser, “A Review of Leprosy Work in Ethiopia, Uganda, N. Rhodesia and Tanganyika”, Leprosy Review 33.2 (1962): 141-153; from pp.142-3.
‘The site is an excellent one with a good water supply and plenty of land for gardens and agricultural development. The Rev. F. E. Estelle is in charge of the agricultural work and is doing a splendid job.
There were more than 200 patients in the leprosarium. … It is planned to increase the accommodation by repairing huts in the “Segregation Village” adjacent to the leprosarium, and bringing them under the full control of the leprosarium.
In addition to the O.P. [i.e. outpatient] Clinic held at the leprosarium there are two other clinics, one 50 miles to the North and the other 50 miles to the South at which patients are seen once a month. Because many patients have to travel several days journey to attend these clinics tablets are given to cover a period of three months – and when the heavy rainy season is approaching even five months! The regularity with which patients return is evidence that very considerable good work is being done by this bold treatment. Over 6,000 have been entered in the out-patient register.
There is no doctor at the Selassie Leprosarium, the treatment of the patients being under the control of Mrs. M. M. Fishwick, R.N., R.M., with the assistance of “dressers” – patients who have been trained in the work. The level of education of all the patients is, however, very low and the best are not very reliable. In spite of the size of the work and the difficulties of finding suitable assistants from among the patients, excellent work was being done.
The Rev. P. E. Entz, the Superintendent, arranges for all patients to spend half a day at school and half the day working in the gardens or on the farm. No patient is allowed to be idle. One or two patients were weaving cloth.
Hospital Buildings and Equipment. These were of the simplest, but were being put to good use.
Mission to Lepers Grant. The grant from the Government covers the cost of the patients’ food, clothing and pocket money. The Mission to Lepers grant covers the upkeep of the huts, the replacement of huts too old to repair, and the cost of medical supplies.
Invaluable work is being done by the staff of the leprosarium but the appointment of a doctor is urgent.’