The Hindu : New Delhi News : Leprosy Mission shifts research base to Capital

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 24, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

Leprosy Mission shifts research base to Capital

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

Since there are more leprosy patients in Delhi and U.P.

Research facility was earlier based
in Maharashtra
Focus on working towards community development

NEW DELHI: Aimed at improving research facilities available to leprosy patients and working towards reducing the stigma attached to the disease, the Leprosy Mission Trust India has shifted its clinical research facility from Maharashtra to the Capital.

In a move that is expected to benefit several leprosy patients and their family members, the facility that is attached to a hospital run by the Trust in Shahdara will work with the aim of escalating research on detecting sub-clinical leprosy, identifying extra-human reservoirs and developing practical laboratory testing kits to identify potentially high endemic sources of leprosy infections.

“Since we have more leprosy patients in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, we thought that it would be easier and more effective if the clinical research unit is shifted to Delhi. The current laboratory research will be both epidemiological and clinical, as we look for markers to identify early potential complications of leprosy using the vast clinical material available in our hospitals,” said Leprosy Mission, South Asia, director Jeyakumar Daniel.

Welfare support

The latest facility emphasises the welfare support of those affected by leprosy. “Our surgeons are still researching on better methods of reconstructive surgery for restoring paralysed limbs and also innovative plastic surgery of the feet to prevent recurrent ulcers. With this latest facility, we will be able to offer better service to leprosy patients and improve their quality of life. We have now changed our approach to work with people and communities affected by leprosy and disability. The shift is from the provision of health services to work towards community development. The project staff is being equipped with new set of skills to improve their performance in community based activities,” added Dr. Daniel.

The Leprosy Mission has started research to estimate the burden of leprosy in the post-elimination era, in three States of the country -- Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi