Premananda Hospital, Kolkata, India
Over the last 20 years, TLM has been working to decrease the prevalence of leprosy in Kolkata, India through providing care at Premananda Memorial Leprosy Hospital. This community based hospital cares for leprosy complications, deformity prevention and surgical correction of deformation. It is the only hospital in Kolkata that focuses on the prevention and correction of deformity and rehabilitation of leprosy patients.
While much has been done, many major challenges still exist. A large number of patients have deformities and disabilities. Many of these patients simply cannot afford investigations and treatment elsewhere for associated illnesses such as severe anemia, tuberculosis and diabetes. Many are uneducated and live in poor conditions in communities that still impose stigma against those with leprosy.
The Leprosy Mission helps leprosy patients find solutions to physical problems faced because of their disease. By providing out-patient services in dermatology, ophthalmology and surgery, more patients will receive help for their physical ailments.
In addition to providing treatment, the Leprosy Mission is also focusing on increasing awareness and knowledge of leprosy in the medical community. A team of professionals with a greater depth of knowledge in the field of leprosy will allow for better care for those affected by leprosy.
The Premananda Memorial Leprosy Hospital is providing an essential service to those in Kolkata with leprosy. It is our hope that men and women with leprosy can receive the care they need to look to the future with optimism.
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Surgery Gave Ashma a New Future Ashma Khatoon is an 18 year old leprosy patient. She came to Premananda Hospital with stiffness and paralysis in her left hand which was severely affecting her daily life.
She underwent extensive physiotherapy (including splinting) to increase the mobility in her hand as much as possible before surgery. Dr. Jerry Joshua then operated on her hand to treat the paralysis in her left thumb and correct the clawing of her fingers.
Ashma has recovered well from her surgery – her hand looks much better and she is able to move her hand well. However, because of some pre-existing clawing, she will always have some disability in her hand.
Ashma is planning on enrolling in one of The Leprosy Mission’s vocational training centres to learn the skills she needs to fully support herself and become a productive member of her community.
Specific Projects: - Improve MDT completion
- Reduce hospitalization due to deformity and disability
- Promote integration by providing services to leprosy and non-leprosy patients together, thus reducing stigma
- Continue to care for major illnesses of leprosy patients
- Provide education for medical and physiotherapy students
- Provide orthosis and prosthesis to leprosy patients
Fast Facts:- Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) has a registered population of 4.65 million but unofficial estimates are closer to 11 million
- Kolkata is the capital city of the state of West Bengal
- Poor socio-economic status and a lack of education intensify the struggle to rise above leprosy
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