As part of a sustained effort to provide community-based rehabilitation services covering both medical and socio-economic support for LCDPs in Madurai district, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, in collaboration with SAKSHAM Savita, launched a long-term comprehensive rehabilitation initiative for LCDPs at the Office of the Deputy Director (Leprosy) and Government Hospital, Balarengapuram, Madurai, on 04th December 2023. This initiative was carried out under the guidance and support of the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, and the Deputy Director of Medical Services, Madurai District.
The inaugural camp was attended by 48 LCDPs from various localities across Madurai district. The formal commencement of weekly Prevention of Deformity (POD) and ulcer treatment camps began on 4th December, 2023 in the presence of Dr K. Vijayan, Deputy Director (Leprosy), Madurai. During the camps, LCDPs are assessed on family background, occupation, and deformity or disability status. The camps are routinely conducted every Monday between 8.00 am to 12.30 pm, and so far, 84 POD camps have been completed, providing regular medical assistance and follow-up, benefitting 87 LCDPs in and around Madurai.
A key component of the POD services under CBR is the ulcer care program, as untreated ulcers, which often persist for 2 to 20 years, may eventually lead to amputation of legs. LCDPs with ulcers received specialized treatment, including foot immersion in EUSOL solution, wound cleansing, and ulcer dressing with amnion and collagen-based products. Two LCDP volunteers from Madurai were trained in ulcer dressing techniques by our Chennai Math volunteers and engaged to perform weekly dressing sessions at the hospital with an honorarium. This community-driven approach ensured continuity of care while empowering LCDPs to assist their peers. All participants were provided with dressing materials, self-care kits, wound-healing medicines for home use, and MCR footwear, enabling them to continue treatment and improve mobility.
In addition to medical services, tea and travel allowances were provided to all participants. Several weekly camps were graced and reviewed by Hon’ble Justice Shri. G.R. Swaminathan, High Court of Madras (Madurai Bench), Dr S. Govindaraj, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and Smt. Kamakshi Swaminathan, National Vice-President of SAKSHAM, all of whom emphasized the importance of sustainable rehabilitation for LCDPs to reduce their multifaceted burden.
Since its inception, this program has shown measurable success, with ulcers of 53 LCDPs completely healed in the past 20 months. In addition, a few camps were organized in March and May 2024 to expand the focus beyond ulcer management and include economic rehabilitation support. During these camps graced by a senior monk from Sri Ramakrishna Math, Madurai, 63 LCDPs and families attended and were provided with rehabilitative materials such as sewing machines, groceries and provisions, sewing machine motors, grinders, prosthetic materials, educational support to children of LCDPs etc aimed at improving their microbusinesses, livelihood prospects, and physical functionality.
This initiative stands as a replicable model for sustainable leprosy rehabilitation and the Math acknowledges donors, Dr EL. Ramanathan, Psychiatrist, UK, Shri. R. Thinnappan, South India Agro-Food Industries, Shri. G.K. Ramakrishnan, Kamadhenu Charitable Trust, and SAKSHAM Savita volunteers for their generous support for this needy service.