The Hindu      02.02.2011

Corporation to rehabilitate persons with leprosy

The Coimbatore Corporation is looking to rehabilitate four persons with leprosy, whom it rescued from the streets of Coimbatore during the recent anti-beggary drive.

Sent back

Of the 140 people the Corporation picked up from the streets of Coimbatore, it had sent 21 people to various non-government organisations. It also managed to send back 72 persons to their families, after members vouched to take care of them. Four persons who were sick died and two children were handed over to Don Bosco Anbu Illam.

The remaining 41 are with the Corporation, including the four leprosy-affected persons. Their presence at the civic body's night shelter is being resisted by other residents. They refuse to have food with the four or even interact with them.

The Corporation is finding it difficult to find a home for the people, the sources say.

Assistant City Health Officer P. Aruna says the Corporation will initiate efforts to provide medical assistance to the affected people, who are not newly infected.

They are old cases and there is no new infection in the night shelter. The Corporation's Health Wing is monitoring the situation at the home.

Treatment

Commissioner Anshul Mishra says the Corporation will send the four people to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Even as they undergo treatment, the civic body will talk to NGOs working in the area to see if they can be accommodated. If not, it is ready take care of the people and the night shelter has enough facilities to provide them care.

There are separate rooms, where they will be treated, he says and adds that the civic body is also not averse to opening a separate home for persons affected with leprosy.

Mr. Mishra also says that the civic body will also look at sending these people to a suitable government facility, even if it is outside Coimbatore.