Channel Island Leprosarium
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The Channel Island Leprosarium was a quarantine station that operated as a colony for people suffering from
leprosy Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease (HD), is a Chronic condition, long-term infection by the bacteria ''Mycobacterium leprae'' or ''Mycobacterium lepromatosis''. Infection can lead to damage of the Peripheral nervous system, nerves, respir ...
in the
Northern Territory The Northern Territory (abbreviated as NT; known formally as the Northern Territory of Australia and informally as the Territory) is an states and territories of Australia, Australian internal territory in the central and central-northern regi ...
of Australia from 1931 to 1955.
Channel Island The Channel Islands are an archipelago in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They are divided into two Crown Dependencies: the Bailiwick of Jersey, which is the largest of the islands; and the Bailiwick of Guernsey, consist ...
forms part of Middle Arm, located just south of Darwin.


History

The Channel Island Leprosarium was opened in 1931 replacing the Mud Island Lazaret. Sisters from the
Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart The Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic religious institute founded in Issoudun, France, on 30 August 1874 by Servant of God Jules Chevalier (1824-1907), the Founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred He ...
took over the health service in 1947. An increase in leprosy cases in the 1950s led to overcrowding and the facility was closed in 1955. It was replaced by The East Arm Leprosarium on the mainland. Patients were compulsorily isolated, were often treated poorly and were cut off from their families. The site was heritage listed in February 1997. Many buildings have fallen into disrepair, and there are some foundations, collapsed huts and wall structures that remain. The bodies of at least 60 patients are buried on site.


References

{{reflist Leper hospitals Buildings and structures in Darwin, Northern Territory Defunct hospitals in Australia Leprosy in Australia