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.
