As part of the 125th Anniversary Celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, a Rehabilitation Programme for Leprosy Cured but Deformed Persons (LCDPs) was organized on 7th June 2023. The event was graced by Dr. T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, as Chief Guest, and by Dr. S. Amutha, ADMS (Leprosy), and Dr. V. Dharmalingam, DDMS (Leprosy), as Special Guests.
Shri V. Saravanan welcomed the gathering, followed by an annual report by Shri K. Muralinath, Volunteer, highlighting 35 years of service that benefitted over 1900 LCDPs through sustained medical, social, and economic rehabilitation initiatives. The report outlined the services of Math on facilitating LCDPs’ access to various government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat PM JAY, disability pensions, free bus and railway passes, UDID cards, and disability certificates; and educational assistance to nearly 160 children from LCDP families. These comprehensive interventions have empowered LCDPs and their families to lead self-reliant lives with dignity. Dr. Amutha and Dr. Dharmalingam praised the Math’s impactful work and recommended that similar services be expanded to other districts like Kumbakonam, Madurai, and Salem, where ulcer burden among LCDPs is notably high.
Dr. Selvavinayagam appreciated the Math’s role in reducing ulcer burden and enabling socio-economic rehabilitation of LCDPs in Chennai and nearby districts through community-based rehabilitation. He said that the Public Health Department continues to focus on early detection of leprosy, prevention of deformities including the provision of free MCR footwear. He also said the Govt of Tamil Nadu is providing monthly maintenance allowance of Rs. 2000 for LCDPs. Shri R. Siva expressed gratitude to Dr. Selvavinayagam for facilitating timely medical and economic support during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to the Math’s request.
The Chief Guest and Special Guests were felicitated for their consistent support to the LCDP community and for inclusive public health efforts. Volunteers Shri K. Muralinath and Smt. Lakshmi Devi, along with Shri P. Saravanan, an LCDP, were honoured for their committed service for LCDPs. Rehabilitation materials were distributed to 38 LCDPs during the event to support or strengthen their microbusinesses. Financial assistance was provided to two children of LCDPs for pursuing higher education and 8 LCDPs received prosthetic support.
The programme concluded with a benedictory address by Swami Dharmishtanandaji Maharaj, Manager of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, followed by a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. S. Sivasubramanian, Volunteer.