Disability Correction through Reconstructive Surgeries

India is reporting more than 1,20,000 new leprosy cases every year. Leprosy causes nerve damage to the persons affected, which leads to deformities and disabilities. Around 5% of the persons affected by leprosy are living with deformities in India. Leprosy is completely curable disease but one of the challenges faced by person affected by leprosy is stigma and discrimination due to deformities.

Damien Foundation India Trust has been working for leprosy control in India since 1955. It has health facilities in 8 states for medical and social rehabilitation of persons affected by leprosy. Leprosy deformities can be corrected through specialized surgical procedures and reformed through intensive physiotherapy. Under this condition, people affected by leprosy with deformities will be assessed by a trained doctor and surgical correction will be done at leprosy referral hospitals. Patients need to be hospitalized for a period of 8 to 9 weeks. The poor leprosy deformity corrected persons, along with medical rehabilitation, are also economically rehabilitated by initiating them into a business of their choice. This enables them to financially support themselves as well as their dependents in their family.

Damien Foundation India Trust is working in 52 districts across 8 states in India. Nearly 23000 persons affected by leprosy with disabilities are supported through training on self care. Damien Foundation has identified more than 1200 persons with deformities who are waiting for surgical correction. Every year, Damien Foundation is able to carry out deformity correction surgery for around 400 persons.

We strive to enable persons affected by leprosy with disabilities to earn their livelihoo,d promote their quality of living, educate children of the affected through medical and social rehabilitation. We also facilitate them to avail various government schemes.

Damien Foundation’s objective is to alleviate poverty, reducing stigma and discrimination and mainstreaming of persons affected by leprosy with deformities. Damien Foundation also aims at preventing the leprosy-affected from begging on streets and help them in leading a dignified life thorough its socio-economic rehabilitation support.

Damien Foundation has rehabilitated more than 10000 leprosy deformed persons, both medically and socially since 1955. Also, it has identified surgeons in different locations and trained them in leprosy deformity correction surgery for sustainable medical rehabilitation.