The State of Hawaii did not repeal the law until 1969.”[2] The historian Carolyn Strange argues that the history of this island with its forced segregation, stigma and death contrasted with its present state as a tourist destination and as a sacred place for Christian pilgrimages which makes this island a symbol for human rights struggles and integration.
As time went on and medical advancements were made towards the curing of leprosy, the island welcomed people with non-leprosy as settlers, many of whom were the relatives and friends of the pre-existing patients.
“Biomedical research facilities have been built there which provide no-fee medical consultation, diagnostic and treatment services to patients with leprosy and other skin diseases.”[3] As the fear aspect of the disease lessened the community became more accepting in the Philippines and the same efforts to distort history as in Hawaii are not existent as the Cullion Leper Colony still exists today and helps house and treat the current population with skin disorders.
Chinese experts now recommend that the small and isolated leprosy colonies should be closed and that newer more modern centres should be established that are more integrated within society.
The results indicated that after entry in the institution, these patients got their broken family bonds, the citizens lost their rights, regarding the situation, they took upon a new life, in the new environment.
“Leprosy, fraught with prejudice and stigma in the early 20s was treated for decades with stringent policies of compulsory isolation of patients in hospitals colonies.
“It was found that leprosy causes a great impact on the everyday lives of these people through the stigma and prejudice related to lack of knowledge about the transmission, control and cure of the disease and the ancient history it carries.”[1] Leprosy has existed in the world since ancient times and continues to exist in the world today, despite being largely curable and treatable.
“The influence of the Christian Church was such that the ritualised banning of lepers became incorporated into the treatment of elephantiasis -- against the advice of physicians like Caelius Aurelianus (4th/5th century AD)".
[9] The disease was seen as unclean, highly contagious and left people horrifically scarred from its effects, this allowed for the sufferers to become easily stigmatized against.