Leprosy in Malta

The history of leprosy in Malta began in the Middle Ages, but the disease became particularly prevalent in the Maltese archipelago during the 19th century.

[clarification needed] It has been proposed that the Hospitalier religious settlement, which was held by the Franciscans near Mdina, had a leprosarium, but there is a lack of historic evidence to support this.

This example equally shows that the sick person maintained their legal rights, contrary to what happened in some European countries during the Middle Ages.

[2] The interest shown by Maltese leaders in the illness grew over the course of the 17th century, as the contagiousness of the disease became better understood.

A few other cases were reported, like that of a religious woman at the monastery of Saint Catherine in Valletta who died in 1770, or that of the son of a Turkish dignitary who came to seek treatment on his journey to Marseille.

[3] However, prevalence of the condition continued to grow during the second half of the 19th century, perhaps due to increased contact with North Africa but also with British India.

[2] In 1892, the construction of a specialist building for leprosy patients linked to the new hospital in Ħal Luqa was agreed, replacing the Ospizio in Il-Furjana.

The 22 remaining patients were assigned to quarters in the Hal Ferha Estate (a development created in the abandoned fort of Ħal Għargħur)[5] with the provision of a plot of land to cultivate and the care of a nurse and a doctor.