Odisha Doctor Adopts Leprosy Colony, Will Provide Kids With Education & Healthcare

There are several illnesses which are stigmatized by society because of lack of awareness. For example AIDS or leprosy, and even if people get cured of the disease, they often suffer from social isolation.

However, Dr Shankar Ramchandani, a Senior Physician at Veer Surendra Sai Institute Of Medical Science And Research, Odisha, has decided to adopt a certain leprosy colony located at Junapani area of Burla town, reports The New Indian Express.

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He has pledged to provide education and health care for the children living in the colony. He is also keen on spreading awareness about the disease to destigmatise people who suffer from it.

According to reports, currently, 54 families live in the colony. The doctor also said that besides health and education, he will also be working towards sanitation.

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Dr Ramchandani is pretty famous for his leprosy awareness drives. Sources revealed that previously, a picture of him carrying leprosy patient to help him cross the road had garnered a lot of attention online. For this, he was held in high esteem by the Health and Family Welfare Department.

“These people have lived in a pitiful plight for years. Now they deserve to be brought to the mainstream. A few of my friends and acquaintances are also supporting me in this initiative and our aim will be to give them care and respect”, he said.

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13 years ago, it was announced that leprosy is no longer a public health concern in India. However, according to reports, Central Leprosy Division of the health ministry claimed that 135,485 new leprosy cases were detected in India in 2017. Which means every 4 minutes a person is being diagnosed with leprosy in the country.

Even after getting cured of the disease, leprosy leaves marks all over a person’s skin. Which is why it is fairly easy to detect a person having been suffered from the said disease. According to an earlier report by The Guardian, this causes people to lose their jobs, are refused entry into banks, are divorced, and even thrown off public transport.

“The stigma and fear of leprosy are such that those who have it are shunned mercilessly”, a spokesperson of Leprosy Mission Trust India had said.

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It takes a lot of courage and compassion to do what Dr Ramchandani is doing. These people deserve a place in society, and thanks to the doctor, they are now getting one.

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