Islands of Shame
by Luc Novovitch
Facts about Nagashima Island:

- There are 513 patients, 500 nurses and 13 doctors making a ratio of 1-1 carer to patient cover.
- The average age of a patient is 76.
- The oldest is 96 and the youngest 50 (came as a baby with his parents)
- The staff make on average 25% more money working in a leprosy centre than a conventional hospital.
- Each building is named after a flower or a bird
- All the patient's bills are 100% covered - health care, lodgings and food - as long as they live in the centre indefinitely.
(Above) Physical therapy room in the Nagashima Island centre.
(Right) Dr Eichii Nakai, Director of the Nagashima Island centre, bows as he visits an elderly patient in her room.
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