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SF was founded in 1902 by a lawyer D. Joaquín Ballaster and a
Jesuit priest, Father Carlos Ferris, in order to offer an improved quality
of life and treatment to a great number of leprosy patients in the Alicante
and Valencia area. A hospital (SF Colony Sanatorium - San Francisco
de Borja), on the border of the Alicante and Valencia provinces, was
opened in 1909, with the aim of performing a triple function: medical
treatment, research and teaching. Since then adjusting to new needs
in the fight against leprosy has been a first priority. This includes
running annual courses for doctors, nurses and personnel working on
anti-leprosy projects, and producing the only scientific leprosy journal
in Spanish - Revista de Leprología Fontilles. SF has also been
supporting or running an increasing number of international projects.
SF became a Member of ILEP in 1969. The first priority is still the fight against leprosy, wherever it still exists. The number of new cases registered in the "Sanatorio" is down to a minimum. Therefore, activity is shifting outwards, with the growing number of international projects. Other new priorities include the training of field workers at home and abroad and supporting national plans to eradicate leprosy in endemic countries and regions. Raising awareness of leprosy in Spanish society, early detection of new cases, physical rehabilitation of people with leprosy, and achieving the socio-economic integration of patients are permanently on the agenda of SF's work. (Extracted from the ILEP home page) |
| 1902 | Carlos Ferres, a Jesuit monk, and lawyer Joaquín Ballester collaborated to realize a common dream – to look after the sufferers of leprosy who, isolated by a society that was terrified of the unknown, bore their illness alone without any consolation or relief of their symptoms. Thus was born Fontilles. |
| 1909 | After seven years of struggle, the Sanatorium opened its doors to admit the first leprosy patients from all of Spain. |
| 1947 | The
Sanatorium started courses in the treatment of leprosy for doctors and
other health workers, both Spanish and foreigners. These courses continue
up to the present time - each year imparting knowledge to the 70 people
who meet together to combat leprosy all over the world. |
| 1968 | They
pioneered a régime by which the patients could be treated at home,
and only attend the Sanatorium for out-patient treatment. |
| 1969 | The
Sanatorium joined ILEP – the international association for the fight
against leprosy. It is the only Sanatorium in all of Spain represented
in ILEP. |
| 1989 | Fontilles
takes the fight against leprosy overseas for the first time. A team is
sent to India to help the sufferers in an epidemic there. |
| 1994 | They
step up their action overseas and arrive in Araguaya (Brazil) with doctors
and medical assistance. |
| 2002 | There
are still 68 in-patients in the Sanatorium, and more than 150 receiving
out-patient treatment.
Fontilles
now works on projects in many countries overseas, and publishes results
of studies in the international press. |
| 2003 | The
Archbishop of Valencia started the process of the canonization of Joaquín
Ballester, for his efforts in establishing Fontilles. |
| 2004 | Fontilles
began the construction of a Reconstructive Surgical Unit for leprosy patients
in the Indian town of Sanawad in Madhya Pradesh. This unit will serve
a population of 205,077, and as well as surgical procedures, will help
to rehabilitate those affected and enable them to work and maintain their
families. However,
to complete the building of this Unit, they need another 18,000 euros.
They are heavily dependent on donations for this work, so if you can organize
a fund-raising event or make a small personal donation, it would be greatly
appreciated.
GROUP VISITS WELCOME The Sanatorium receives numerous visits from colleges, schools and associations. During 2000 15 such groups visited the Sanatorium – a total of 865 young people. During the visit, they are taken all around the grounds, wards, and offices, and are told something of the history of the Sanatorium. They are given information about leprosy, and the physical and social effects on the sufferers. They also learn of the countries where this disease is still prevalent and what is being done to help them combat the disease. |