Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai has been providing ulcer treatment to over 1,600 LCDPs for more than three decades. Chronic foot ulcers pose a major challenge for LCDPs. These ulcers severely limit mobility, productivity, and quality of life, and often lead to stigma. If left untreated, these ulcers may lead to amputation of damaged legs.
For over 20 years, as part of its Prevention of Deformities (PoD) camps, the Math has offered weekly ulcer dressings for about 45 LCDPs, along with food and travel support. With the support of R&D institutions such as King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research (KIPMR) and CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) during 2012 to 2016, amnion- and collagen-based wound heal strategies and materials (creams, gel, scaffolds, particles, sponges, and sheets) are developed based on two separate clinical trials that accelerate tissue regeneration and have proven more effective than conventional treatments.
LCDPs also receive customized MCR footwear, training in self-care and ulcer management, and weekly self-care kits. In 28th October, 2017, on Sister Nivedita’s 150th Birth anniversary, the Math, with King Institute, CSIR-CLRI, and Synerheal Pharmaceuticals Ltd, formally introduced these amnion and collagen based dressing formulations, now routinely used to treat non-healing ulcers at the Math and its associated centres. The event was attended by the Chief Guest Dr. B. Chandrasekaran, Director of CSIR-CLRI; Dr. B. Madan, Principal Scientist, CSIR-CLRI; Dr. S. Sivasubramanian, Senior Scientist, King Institute; Shri. Naveed, Synerheal Pharma Ltd, and Dr. V. Chandramouleeswaran, Director, Institute of Neurology, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai. Swami Vimurtananda, Manager of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai delivered the benedictory address, emphasizing the importance of translating scientific findings from the laboratory to benefit the neglected masses and the needy.