Leprosy Rehabilitation
“I should see God in the poor and it is for my salvation that I go and worship them. The poor and the miserable are for our salvation, so that we may serve the Lord, coming in the shape of the distressed, coming in the shape of lunatic, the Leprosy afflicted person. Bold are my words and let me repeat that it is the greatest privilege in our lives that we are allowed to serve the lord in all these shapes.”
– Swami Vivekananda
Since 1989 the Math is involved in the rehabilitation of Leprosy Cured but Deformed Persons (LCDPs). About 1500 LCDPs have been rehabilitated till 2016. Both psychological and financial support are provided to enable them to lead a normal life. Camps for eye screening, general healthcare and prevention of deformities are regularly organized by the Math.
In August 2016, a National Awareness Convention on Leprosy was organized by the Math in association with CSIR-CLRI in Chennai, in which various LCDPs service organizations participated and highlighted the need for LCDPs’ care. A resolution was passed and submitted to Sri. J.P.Nadda, Hon’ble Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, who was the Chief Guest.
As an outcome of the convention, the Government of India took immediate steps to assess the cases at National level and also took steps to develop an indigenous vaccine for the disease. During this convention, ‘Bhartiya Kushth Nivarak Sangh” a serving organization was honored with a citation and cash award for its outstanding service to the affected persons.
