Medical Care For People Affected by Leprosy in India
Situation:
People affected by leprosy and their families are stigmatized and marginalized. The fear of infection, prejudice and exclusion is great. Therefore, those affected often overlook or ignore the first signs. However, leprosy can be treated very well in the early stages and usually heals without consequences. If leprosy remains untreated, nerves are destroyed and irreversible damage often occurs to hands, feet and eyes.
Objectives:
- Medical care for leprosy patients and improvement of their physical and mental condition in Naini, Vadathorasalur and Barabanki.
- Prevention of disabilities or aggravation of existing disabilities.
- 790 people are too poor and cannot finance the necessary treatment for their leprosy.
- In Barabanki, surgical ophthalmology can only be performed to a limited extent or not at all due to a lack of equipment.
- Diagnosis and timely treatment of complications
- reconstructive surgery by tendon transfers on hands, feet and eyelids
- debridement/surgical cleaning of ulcers
- pain therapy and provision of aids such as special shoes
- physical therapy, occupational therapy, patient education and counseling on physical rehabilitation and disability management.
- Training patients to examine affected body parts for swelling and wounds
- Improvement of ophthalmology and introduction of eye surgery in Barabanki.
- 155 patients get the necessary reconstructive surgery to restore the functionality of individual extremities.
- 425 patients receive treatment for their ulcers and instruction in skin care.
- 210 patients, mostly suffering from neurological complications, are treated with pain therapy, among others.
Surgical equipment is purchased for the hospital in Barabanki and used for ophthalmology.
Patients who have received medical and physiotherapeutic treatment have the opportunity to take on financial responsibility for themselves and their families again. They serve as an example in their environment that leprosy can be treated and that the hospitals of The Leprosy Mission Trust India have the necessary facilities and know-how to do so.
The project "Medical Care for people affected by leprosy in India" is embedded in the work of the hospitals of The Leprosy Mission Trust India. The aim here is to provide holistic help, reintegration into society and the return of those affected to a self-determined and self-responsible life.
People who are outcasts and mostly without rights are given the chance for a better and dignified life.
Nagammal is a woman affected by leprosy who was abandoned by her husband and left alone in her hut by her family during a flood. She remained there for 9 days until a Leprosy Mission worker discovered her. She was in a shocking condition. The staff member dressed her wounds and took her to a Leprosy Mission hospital. In the meantime, Nagammal was treated by doctors and physiotherapists and was able to return to her home. She is now largely self-sufficient and is very happy that, with the help of Leprosy Mission, her request for electricity has finally been granted.
People like Nagammal, on the fringes of society, without family, without friends, without any prospect of improvement in their living situation, receive medical care, psychological care and very practical help in the facilities of the Leprosy Mission, in order to find a way back into life and society.
Here you can find further information.
