Leprosy

Worshiping God through destressing the Distressed “God has appeared before in the form of the person afflicted with leprosy, the miserable, the distressed, the lunatic and the poor only to enable you to obtain your Salvation by serving them. Bold are my words and let me repeat that it is the greatest privilege in our lives that we are allowed to worship the God in all these shapes by alleviating the suffering of these persons” -Swami Vivekananda Swami Vivekananda, by the above sane words, reiterated the lesson of “service to God through service to His creatures”. The above great Saying on the “Religion of service” epitomizes the necessity of service to the sufferers and distressed without any discrimination. In his bold words, he emphasizes that the distressed are not sinners to be avoided or neglected but are to be served through seeing the God in them. These words with enriched meanings are the manifestations of the ancient views of Hinduism on service. The famous sloka of Rig Veda “Atmano mokshartham jagat hitaya cha” suggests twofold aim of human life: one is to seek salvation for one’s soul and the other is to address the issue of welfare of the world.

Serving Humanity without Motives The great saint Sri Sankara expresses the importance of serving humanity without any motives through the following picturesque words: Like Spring delighting mankind Blooming forth unasked for, The saint, after himself crossing The turbulent ocean of mundane affairs, Stays behind only to pilot others Without any interest of his own.

To relieve sufferings of others unasked, Is the natural propensity of supermen Just as the Moon soothes the Earth Scorched by the burning rays of the Sun. (Viveka Chudamani, verses 37 & 38) 1

Services of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, according to the motto of Salvation though Service, has been rendering yeoman service to the society especially the poor, needy and distressed for more than hundred years. The Math’s service activities are wide ranging i.e. disaster relief and rehabilitation, value oriented education, training as well as skill and youth development programmes, rural development programs, leprosy rehabilitation, nursing patients, diagnostic services, extending medical assistance to rural areas and poor and needy through organizing medical camps and mobile dispensary etc.

Leprosy Rehabilitative Services of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai Swami Vivekananda made a special reference to the service of Leprosy Afflicted Persons (LAPs) because the intense stigma associated with the disease left these afflicted persons in neglected and vulnerable state of public life. He strongly felt the need of addressing their problems through a range of services. The disease persists even today inspite of the availability of medicines to cure and several are afflicted by physical, mental and social agonies. Due to the permanent nature of their physical deformities, society treats the diseased and the cured alike.

The stigma associated with the disease forces people to excommunicate LAPs from the society.

Though cured of the disease, many are forced to live with their deformed limbs, accompanied by numbness, which perpetuates ulcers, preventing them from getting hired for jobs. Pushed to penury and deserted by their families, many take to begging.

Now, the status of LAPs is bound to change thanks to the vision and dedicated services of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, which has been distinctly involving in leprosy rehabilitative services since 1988. These services were started by Revered Swami Tapasyananda, the then President of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai with an aim of integrating these historically ostracized LAPs back into the society rather than serving them in isolation in leprosy colonies.

Besides, it envisaged the need of addressing their physio, psycho and social issues through community based rehabilitative measures so as to empower them to solve their own problems as well as to lead a financially independent self-sustainable life. A building, named after Sri Brahmananda Maharaj, is dedicated to carry out a range of services for rehabilitation of LAPs. Services also include medical support for LAPs, who are deserted by their family. The 2

rehabilitation and welfare activities have blossomed into a permanent scheme of the Math with the blessings of Revered Swami Smaranananda and Revered Swami Gautamananda. The Math offers the holy services on LAPs keeping in view that they are the manifestations of the Supreme God, Shri Narayana.

Rejuvenating the lives of LAPs by instilling Self Confidence, Self Respect and Self Esteem The Math recognizes that leprosy is more of a social problem than a health problem since the social stigma affects the LAPs in many ways. The service activities towards LAPs are focused not only simply alleviating a range of their physical and mental pains but also instilling the SELF CONFIDENCE, SELF RESPECT AND SELF ESTEEM in them so as to lead a normal, functional and suffer-free happy social life.

Rehabilitation of LAPs is multifaceted and consistent efforts in various directions are necessary to bring long term success. Hence, the Chennai Math is actively involving in socioeconomical and physical rehabilitative services to address their problems holistically along with dedicated volunteers and qualified professionals.

Rehabilitative services for LAPs 1. Identification of LAPs through peer groups in and around Chennai districts and provide community based comprehensive financial, medical, psychological and spiritual supports to enable the LAPs to lead a normal life 2. Socio-economical rehabilitation measures to assist the LAPs to rebuild their lives, including their relationships and household economies as these are severely affected by the stigma of the disease 3. Making them financially and functionally independent through facilitating Self Help Groups (SHG) formation on their own and promoting self employment.

4. Arranging pension for LAPs through government schemes 5. Physical rehabilitative services such as general health, ulcer healing, addressing eye and dental problems, providing medicines and rehab aids, preventing dehabilitation, self care practices etc 6. Chronic ulcer healing through innovative medical interventions 3

7. Assisting the homeless LAPs to get free housing facility through govt bodies 8. Educational support to children of LAPs 9. Supply quality food to LAPs in and around Chennai districts through effective network of service minded NGOs 10. Arranging entertainment and spiritual events such as sports, tours, yoga and satsang for refreshing their lives in all spheres 11. Grievance redressal through counseling, moral and spiritual supports Through the above consistent and continuous services, the Chennai Math has achieved success in several of the undertaken tasks. It is visible that the efforts on making clean image of LAPs, society integration and prevention of begging have resulted in great extent of reduction of stigma. The Math is embarking the journey of holy service towards curing the pains of LAPs such as physical, psychological and stigma origins and thereby refreshing their lives.

Unique Achievements in the Services of LAPs Several milestones have been achieved in the 27 years of services of LAPs by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai and some of them are mentioned here: Socio-economic rehabilitation services 

The stupendous task on reach out more than 1,350 LAPs who have been rehabilitated till date and as a result, begging is prevented. The economical rehabilitation of them with minimal financial support yields maximum results.

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Self Help Groups: They have formed 12 Self Help Groups (SHG) among themselves with 10 members in each group. Each member is having own SB account in Indian Bank for availing financial assistance in the form of loans. Today, the savings of all SHGs exceeded Rs.15 Lakhs with the dividend of more than one lakh per annum. Apart from all their expenditures, they could save about 6 lakhs as fixed deposit. Each member is having the average saving of Rs.11,000/- in their account. They have become financially independent to meet their own needs and they do not need external loans anymore. They were once considered “burden” by family members now empowered to lead their families. They also share their problems and learn how better they can face challenges.

The members of SHG, the beneficiaries, have become the stakeholders in managing the 4

functions of SHGs and they review their activities during office bearer meets on every 1st Sunday. The formation of such vibrant SHGs is being extended to Kanchipuram and Chengalpet districts. The SHG meet are organized with Prayers, Bhajans and discourses which creates a divine atmosphere. 

Promoting self employment of the members in SHGs sustain them financially. They engage in selling cottage products, pooja items, cloths, household materials such as plastics, phenyl, soap powder, homemade products etc. Besides, several LAPs are managing tasks such as textile business, preparation of leaf plates and selling them to nearby hotels, stitching and tailoring, painting, setting up PCO booths, printing stations, etc.

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The Math has arranged monthly pension of Rs.1000/- for all LAPs through government scheme. Now, all the LAPs have obtained disability certificate from Government and are covered under the Chief Minister Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme of Govt of Tamilnadu. Free bus passes have been arranged for all LAPs.

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Free houses are allotted for 10 LAPs (all are foot path dwellers) through the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board.

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23 children of LAPs are placed as Nursing Assistants in various Govt. Hospitals in Tamilnadu.

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LAPs are employed with salary by the Math for administration activities

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New dresses are being given to have a overall fresh look as well as making clean personal appearance in the walk of public life.

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Several of the LAPs were honoured with Best Achiever awards by the Govt of Tamilnadu.

Physical Rehabilitation Services These services are aimed to (a) improve overall health condition of LAPs as well as their immunity (b) heal the chronic ulcers (c) perform master health check up (d) address eye and dental problems through organizing camps (e) psychological and other physical supports etc 5

a. Improve overall health condition of LAPs and Immunity 

Medical check ups with qualified doctors and paramedical professionals are regularly conducted to monitor their health and steps have been taken to improve their health status by supplying nutritious food, health drinks and medicines.

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Master health check up for all LAPs have been conducted annually at free of cost, and consultation as well as counseling are being given to create health and hygiene awareness.

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To improve their nutritional status and immunity, they are freely supplied Divine Noni, a natural health drink and a product of Noni Biotech Pvt Ltd, for the past four years. It is observed that their overall immunity has improved well due to the consumption of the health drink.

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Homoeopathy treatment is being given weekly by Dr.N.R.Jayakumar and his team to improve their immunity levels while curing ailments.

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Other physical supports such as rehabilitative aids such as prosthetic limbs, MCR footwears etc are provided to the needy

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Psychological counseling is being given by professionals for the needy

b. Addressing Eye and Dental problems Regular eye and dental camps are regularly organized with the support of well qualified doctors from Sankara Nethralaya and Ragas Dental College, Chennai for giving ophthalmic and dental care.

c. Healing Chronic Ulcers Therapeutic need to heal chronic ulcers of LAPs The ulcers due to leprosy origin are chronic (persistent and difficult to cure) in nature. As a result, they are vulnerable to several infections and other health complications. Further, the unpleasant smell/odour that arises from these wounds, the associated disgusted appearance of the persons and the persistent stigma cause burden to their family members, neighbours and society and consequently, they abandon them. Besides, the management of chronic wounds is a significant burden, not only in terms of direct costs to healthcare services but also in terms of 6

pain, economic loss, and impaired quality of life experienced by patients. Different methods of treatment have been used in ulcer management, but the outcomes of these methods are frequently dissatisfactory, and these people had to live with chronic wounds for several years (2 to 20 years) that result in high economic and social costs.

Novel wound heal strategies implemented by RK Math, Chennai Two innovative medical intervention strategies for chronic wound healing have been developed jointly by the Teams of pioneer research institutes such as King Instiute of Preventive Medicine and Research (KIPMR) and CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai. Wound heal materials have been developed using amnion and collagen based biotherapeutic materials/scaffolds/sheets in coordination with scientists and doctors from these institutes. These strategies, upon ethical clearance, are implemented by RK Math, Chennai to heal 47 ulcers from 39 persons.

Amnion Therapy – A new cure for ulcers of leprosy

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The ulcer wounds were debrided, cleaned and they were dressed with amnion therapeutic material once in seven days. 33 patients have undergone the treatment. The old material was removed and replaced with new one every week. Wounds started healing from 5th week onwards and take an average of 31 weeks for complete healing, depending upon the magnitude of wounds (depth, area, oozing and infections). Tissue formation with active granulation at the wound site was observed denoting efficient healing. Patients reported convenience and reduction in pain after treatment.

Features of the amnion therapy for LAPs 

No rejection of dressing materials

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Facilitates contact establishment at wound site

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Stops smelling and oozing of fluid from the wound site

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Promotes tissue regeneration

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Restores sensation in patients in the affected area

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Convenience and reduction in pain

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Efficiency of healing is observed after application of dressing materials

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Effective for even aged population (> 70 years) 7

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Natural healing avoiding chemicals

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No side or adverse effect

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Most economical and affordable therapy

2. Therapy using Collagen biotherapeutic Scaffolds and other Formulations Therapeutic bioscaffolds and formulations comprising Collagen substances, phytochemicals, crosslinking agents, MMP inhibitors, absorbants, antioxidants, anti-infectives etc were developed. 16 LAPs have undergone the therapy and the wounds started healing from 3rd week onwards and take an average of 24 weeks for complete healing.

Advantages of the materials in wound healing: 

ability to easily absorb wound exudates

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smooth adherence to the wound bed

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supply tissue regenerative components to wounds

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preserve moist environment

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shielding against mechanical harm and preventing secondary bacterial infections

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Reduced treatment duration

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Safety and use to use

Complete closure of wounds was observed at the end of therapy and all the 39 LAPs were released upon wound healing. The above strategies and their efficacy were reviewed prior to and after therapy by eminent doctors, scientists and members of ethical committee. Almost all the LAPs availing the Chennai Math’s service on wound healing have now become chronic wound free. The burden due to the wounds are eliminated in these persons. Presently, the Math is encouraging scientists and doctors to do research for solving the problem of recurrence of wounds due to its anaesthetic nature.

Patent filing on the above strategies have been completed: Pat Appl No. (1) 3049/CHE/2012 (2) 797/CHE/2013 (3) 2456/CHE/2015

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Math Services through Charitable organizations and NGOs Through the effective network of dedicated NGOs such as Vatsalyam, Udhavum Ullangal, Chennai Social Service, Nallore Vattam, Tulsi Rural Development Trust, Sarada Devi Seva Sangh etc, quality food (annadhanam), grocery items and fresh vegetables are supplied to LAPs in and around Chennai. Every Wednesday, nutritious food is provided to LAPs at Govt Silver Jubilee clinic, Saidapet. 80 LAPs at Govt Leprosy Centre, Chengalpet are served quality food. It is ensured that not even a single rehabilitated LAP is suffered from hunger problem. 15 LAPs are supported with monthly pension of Rs. 1500/- as these are unable to undertake any job. Among the disabled communities, LAPs are suffered discrimination and the inferior feeling due to the heightened stigma of the disease. To eliminate this, the efforts on integrating these people into other disabled communities with the support of Saksham, a dedicated body offering services for the disabled. Regular training camps are conducted with Shaksham for motivating them at all levels.

Other activities 

Provided Yoga therapy in association with Sanjeevani Ayurvedha and Yoga Centre.

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Conducting annual day celebrations including World Leprosy Day, awareness programs, Satsang (every 2nd Saturday of the month), SHG meet, medical check up and grievance redressal (3rd Saturday of every month) are conducted and these events are routine in nature.

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It is heartrending to state that the leprosy stigma in the society even impacts worst after the life of LAP as people including their own family members are hesitant to perform cremation customs for LAPs. A volunteer of the Math did cremation customs for more than 100 LAPs deserted by their families.

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They are given “Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam”, a spiritual magazine of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai every month to enable their spiritual progress. LAP services are also featured frequently in issues of the magazine.

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Encourage them to write Rama Nama by offering booklets for not only curing all the ailments but also facilitating the spiritual journey.

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Services outside the Math Campus 

Several of the LAP services are extended outside the Math campus.

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Pilgrimage and sports programmes for LAPs are organized annually.

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Deep borewell pumps for providing potable drinking water at Govt Leprosy Centre, Chengalpet and also to solve water crisis.

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Ulcer dressing and treatment for about 25 LAPs at Sri Ramakrishna Math, Kanchipuram.

Food and conveyance are given every week to LAPs attending ulcer treatment.

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Gardening, ward and toilet cleaning and house keeping activities are carried out by LAP volunteers at Govt Leprosy Hospital at Polambakkam (near Melmaruvathur) every Sunday.

Awards 

Awarded HKNS Gandhian Award (2004) by the then Governer of Tamil Nadu Sri Ram Mohan Rao.

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Dr.Sanjeevi Award (2010)

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Shi Krishna Gana Sabha Swami Vivekananda’s 150th Jayanthi Celebration Award (2013)

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