A harsh existence

In the late 1970s, four nuns from Macao arrived at Daqin island with equipment that allowed water to be heated efficiently and quickly. Before that, the patients either bathed in cold water or they heated water by burning wood. Without electricity, lighting was provided by oil lamps donated by churches in Macao, but were only lit from 6 pm to 10 pm each day. There were no beds, so patients slept on wooden boards.

The entrance of Si'an hospital. [Photos by Feng Yongbin / China Daily]

The harsh conditions and hard life on Daqin island made things tough for the residents. Lacking food, patients had to go fishing everyday. Cutting wood inevitably led to cuts and grazes, which often became infected. The wounds healed slowly or simply failed to heal at all, meaning some patients had to have arms and legs amputated.

Many residents turned to religion for support and approximately half converted to Catholicism.

Early in 2007, the central government pledged to improve conditions for the country's 20,000 lepers, and they were moved to 100 dedicated areas that offer improved facilities and medical treatment.

As the poorest colony, Daqin was high on the project list, leading to the 2011 relocation to Si'an. It was the first time that 70-year-old Situ Zhenhuan had seen vehicles and highways. Having been separated from mainstream society for almost half a century, his memories of public transport revolved around bicycles.

Around a month ago, an electric-battery car was donated to Si'an Hospital. Xu Bin, an officer at the hospital, said many of the residents drive the car around the island several times a day. "They are very excited by this unusual vehicle," he said.

However, for most residents, the greatest wish is simply the love and care of their families, said Xu. "But it's hard. Even today, there is still discrimination toward lepers," he said.

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A daily reality