Leprosy Mission News (from Jacqui C.)
South East Area Project 2006
£3,200 Extra Funds Needed for Non-Leprosy Drugs — for around 600 patients at The Leprosy Mission (TLM)’s Poldapur Hospital in Maharashtra state, India. It is a small rural hospital founded in 1893, with 28 staff, headed by Dr. Mrs. Malarvizhi Edwin. The hospital provides vital in and out patient care and support for leprosy and other general medical conditions. The surgical team performs procedures including reconstructive surgery and cataract operations. Training in awareness and prevention of disability is offered to patients and their families, along with community-based rehabilitation, educational grants and low cost housing.
The funds raised will be used to purchase 100 different types of medicines to enable the hospital to provide comprehensive community medical care. Multidrug therapy (MDT) cures patients of leprosy, but the hospital also needs a battery of other non-leprosy drugs to treat associated problems like ulcers, leprosy reaction and drugs allergies, and for reconstructive surgery. Patients may also have other medical problems, for example, diabetes and hypertension. A number of out patients require steroids for reaction and neuritis. The team also treats a range of skin diseases and respiratory disorders. Many of the patients are very poor and cannot pay for their medication.
If this project exceeds its target, any extra funds will be put towards the general work for people affected by leprosy. Thank you to all who currently collect for The Leprosy Mission. If anyone would like to make a one-off contribution to this project, please see Jacqui C. You can do this via the church contact page