11.   Yet thalidomide also provides effective relief for fever and ulcers in leprosy patients.

12.   Although medically groundless by then, official policies called for the complete removal of leprosy patients from society.

13.   Although medically groundless, the policy had called for forcible isolation of leprosy patients in remote colonies.

14.   Arif, who heads the anti-leprosy program in the ministry, said the number of leprosy patients has remained constant at more than half a million for a decade.

15.   He particularly worked hard to rehabilitate leprosy patients.

16.   He said the government thought that what former leprosy patients wanted was government support for their medical costs and welfare projects, not compensation to individuals.

17.   Japan is struggling to offer redress to leprosy patients who suffered for decades under draconian government policies that required them to be banished to secluded institutions.

18.   John Paul continued his advocacy at a center for leprosy patients outside Havana on Saturday evening, where he called for the release of Cuban political prisoners.

19.   Omar Nur Ali said one leprosy patient in Labadad village near Merca, ate the liver of his nephew, apparently believing it would cure him.

20.   Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi later apologized to leprosy patients.