ST.JOSEPH LEPROSY REHABILITATION CETRE THIMMARAJUPALAM, NIDADAVOLU MANDAL, WEST GODAVARI DIST. ANDHRA PRADESH STATE, SOUTH INDIA 534301 E - mail: stjosephlrc@yahoo.com If my father and mother forsake me the Lord will take me up. - Psalm 27: 10
Introduction The most common attitudes towards leprosy patients are: devaluation, distancing, hatred, rejection by family, exclusion, and labeling., fear was often found to be the root of these negative attitudes e.g. fear of exposure to the disease, fear of being infected, fear of association with a person affected by leprosy.these negative They look down on people affected by leprosy. The family members don t want to see, they separate themselves from the other members, so that they will not contract the disease. God has created human beings in different ways for different purposes. Each one has got its own limitations and failures. Some privileged to live decent life on the contrary unprivileged unable to live, as dignified member in the society. Our inmates got an opportunity to lead a dignified life in the society with the other people. They have been with the society of the sisters of the Holy Cross, since 37 years; all these years of their life, they have lived a decent, peaceful & dignified life. Objectives: The main objective of this centre is to cater to the care, support and rehabilitation of the leprosy affected members of the society who ever may find this a welcome place. We stand in solidarity with the poor and empower the marginalized especially the disadvantaged and discriminated women and children. NUMBER OF SISTERS AND ANIMATORS INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT Sl.No Name Qualification Responsibility 1. Sr.Lizy Abraham GNM (General Nursing & Midwifery.) Director, Nurse, Counsellor 2. Dr.Sr.Claudia MBBS,MS Doctor in charge ( Part time) 3. Sr.Divya GNM (General Nursing & Midwifery) Nurse, Counsellor
4. Sr.Gracia M.A, D/C, Driver Office Staff 5. K.Ananda Kumari ANM Health Assistant Activities in the LRC Centre: Daily Patients care: Taking care of the patients by giving them necessary medicines, dressing their wounds and ulcers, etc. Regular check up by a medical officer gives them much relief from both physical and psychological ailments. Some of the patients who needed extra care were taken to the outside hospitals. Eye Camp: Eye camp was conducted for the inmates by Lion s club. Surrounding villagers were also present. There were about 140 members who benefited out of it. Some of them got free glasses and for some they advised to undergo surgery. It will be free of
cost. Camp got over around 3pm. All were very happy and grateful for the generous contribution that we made available to the people. Date of camp Conducted by Ben fisheries Spectacles Received Advised for surgeries Male Female Total Male Female Male Female 28 th August-14 Smt.Rajeswari Ramakrishna Lion Eye Hospital 60 80 140 10 10 18 11 The happy movements of the occasions: It was a memorable day in the life of Mr.Thulasi and Mrs. Renuka as their children received the first HOLY COMMUNION.we had solemn Eucharistic celebration. Flowed by Agape for all those who have participated. Repair and maintenance: Patients colony Repair and maintenance of the veranda is done. Since it was broken and patients were finding difficult to walk.
Visitors from AIFO: In the month of October 16th to 19th, Mr. Sergio zovini, Mr.Pitro Pirri, Ms.Marinasandrini visited our centre and gave valuable suggestion for the coming years. They met all the patients and spend some time with them. We appreciated their concern for the welfare of the leprosy affected persons. It was a happy occasion for us to have our AIFO friends with us for great event of starting our jubilee year. They visited nearby schools in the villages, interacted with the children. Activities of St.Joseph Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre at a Glance: Inmates attending daily mass Daily prayer Roll call
Patients at pharmacy Dressing the patients wound Couples cooking meals Agricultural Farm Gazing the sheep Gardening Sharing the fruits Distributing mosquito nets Local people supplying food PHC Doctor -Visits patients
Painting the church Inmates putting Rangolly Independence Day Christmas Celebration Cultural Programme Inmates cooking meals for all Home going: Three patients who were very sick and are old have gone to eternal rest among them two of them were bedridden for few months. We took care of them well. Highlighted Activities During the Year: Attending Daily Mass Engaged with Activities in the campus Daily patients care and Medicine supply Special care for admitted patient Awareness programmes in villages women s Groups regarding Leprosy Counseling for the patient
Referral services of Leprosy patients for further treatment to other referral centers TB- DOTS Programme Education for the children of Leprosy affected Farm service: Cultivation of vegetable garden. flower and fruit garden Repair and maintenance of the colony To provide self esteem through education and counseling Painting the church Changing the pipeline in the colony OUR COLLABORATORS: Holy cross sisters Local contributions from the people (Any Kind ) Statistics of the centre Oct. 2014 Total No Inpatient Total No. Of Leprosy Patients Total No. of Leprosy and HIV affected Total No. of Patients from outside coming 75 24 12 3 51
Outcome /Results: Good Report with the villagers. Stigmas and discrimination towards Leprosy lessened because of the home based care Confidence among patients increased Counseling and health education have improved their personality, personal Hygiene and health status. As they live in a colony, patients are experience the family atmosphere The centre wish to implement the following points: 1. Along with my staff will move to the village to make a survey of the pregnant women will give awareness about the antenatal care. 2. Give awareness program to the outside leprosy patients who are in the market place, railway station, bus stop & begging spots 3. Provide medical care to the out patients 4. Finding out the malnourished children in the villages and instruct the mothers to feed the children with nutrition food ex. To feed the kid with protein powder, fruits, vegetables. Nuts, whole grains, beans etc
My Impression: I have been working with the inmates since two years. It is great joy for me to be with them and to give my love and care for them. It is mutual sharing of life. The way they live and move inspires me to continue my mission freely and selflessly. I sincerely thank you for support and encouragement. I do my best to help the helpless. United in love and good works for the cause of the less privileged and praying to St.Joseph, our Patron for the continuous protection and support for the Centre. I conclude this report of the year 2014. Director, Sr.Lizy Abraham *** ***