About the Organisation: This community hospital has been committed to the eradication of leprosy for the last 25 years and in supporting patients who have this incurable disease. To assist the leprosy patients there is an in-house prosthetic limb and orthopedic footwear making section.
The hospital is a 4 storey building with 85 beds, an operating theatre for leprosy patients and also a general OT. It is kept extremely clean but has very basic wards and equipment, although the Physio department does have modern facilities.
Due to the success of the awareness and eradication programs the hospital has diversified out to other areas of need such as TB, HIV/AIDS and Diabetes. These three conditions are set to have most impact on Indian health in the 21st century.
There are also several other departments within the hospital including Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Dentistry & Ear, Nose & Throat, Pharmacy.
How it began: In 1971 the German Leprosy and TB Relief Association (GLRA) undertook a survey in the Greater Madras (
Chennai) area and on realizing the magnitude of the problem set up the Greater Madras Leprosy Treatment and Education Scheme.
The main objectives were to create awareness in the community regarding Leprosy, TB and other serious health problems and promote sound health care practices. To detect, treat and rehabilitate people at affordable cost.
Funding was secured by the community for a new hospital from the German Leprosy and TB Relief Association and it was built in 1980.
The Hospital now: The objectives have been mainly met in relation to Leprosy. There are now much fewer cases being reported to the point where we can say it has been eradicated in the
Chennai area. However, Leprosy is not curable and therefore there are still patients that need ongoing treatments such as limb amputation.
Unfortunately TB and HIV/AIDS is on the rise and so the hospital has diversified its treatments out to cover these areas more. It also specializes in Diabetes related illnesses. The hospital employs education officers who go out into the community to undertake awareness programs in these areas.
The hospital has a Board of Directors consisting of 18 members all of whom are prominent figures in
Chennai. All activities are documented well and there are comprehensive annual reports written to show the health care undertaken by the hospital.
What you’ll be doing: Unfortunately leprosy often leads to amputation of a limb if it is so infected that the disease may spread to another part of the body if not removed. Amputations are carried out in a special operating theatre and the patient kept on ward as long as possible as often they are living in very poor conditions in the city and the chance of infection is high in the heat and humidity.
Physiotherapy is given post amputation to assist mobility and balance. If the patient requires, a prosthetic limb will be manufactured and fitted at the hospital and a physiotherapy program developed to assist the patient over time.
You will work alongside the other therapists at the hospital and if there are any particular aspects of physiotherapy you are interested in are welcome, if you have an interest, to be involved in all or any aspects of the hospital.