Rotary Club of Delhi South carriers out large-scale relief work across leprosy colonies
Public Health

Rotary Club of Delhi South carriers out large-scale relief work across leprosy colonies

India accounts for more than half (almost 60%) of new leprosy cases worldwide, despite being declared ‘leprosy-free’ in 2005.

  • By IPP Bureau | March 30, 2022

As part of The Leprosy Control Project helmed by Rotary Club of Delhi South (RCDS), Lepra UK (India branch), Assets Care and Reconstruction Enterprise Ltd (ACRE) and partner Rotary Clubs – Regency Next, New Delhi, Delhi South end, to support palliative care and rehabilitation of the leprosy patients, 103 tricycles and 30 four-legged walkers were distributed and solar panels were installed at the Mother Teresa Home, Leprosy Colony, Tahirpur, Delhi.

Dr. Ritu Chaudhary State Leprosy Officer Delhi said, “First and foremost, I want all patients and their families to know that the treatment of leprosy in India is completely free. Many times, patients leave their native areas and travel long distances for treatment. That is not needed. You can seek treatment at the nearest government hospital or dispensary free of cost. Recently I have joined as a state programme officer in Delhi and realized one major challenge which lies before us is the eradication of leprosy even though the number of cases are declining.”

PDG Deepak Kapur, Chairman, Rotary Club Alliance for Leprosy Control said, “Leprosy is a progressive condition which is physically and emotionally debilitating. If untreated, it can result in physical deformities. Patients often require around the clock medical support, and therefore the work being done by the Rotary Club of Delhi South and partner Rotary Clubs, Lepra and ACRE at the Mother Teresa Home is of vital importance. The Mother Teresa Home has led the way with respect to leprosy control, management and rehabilitation in Delhi, and the support being provided by the Leprosy Control Project will only further the ability of the organization to continue positively impacting Leprosy patients, their families and the larger community.”

Pradeep Bahri, CEO Rotary Club Alliance for Leprosy Control said, “Patients of leprosy are often discriminated against and many of them do not seek treatment due to the stigma attached to the condition. There is a lot of misinformation regarding leprosy, particularly with respect to its perceived incurability, making the plight of the patients deplorable. It is of immense importance that the right information reaches the public and we will continue to endeavor to do so through our awareness activities and relief interventions.”

 

 

 

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