Kusht Nivaran Davakhana is a ‘Leprosy Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre’ run by Canossian Sisters. Over the last 60 years Kusht Nivaran Davakhana (KND) has been committed to the all-round care,treatment, and rehabilitation of patients afflicted with Hansen’s disease (HD) commonly called leprosy. Most of the patients being treated at KND are extremely poor and destitute.
Leprosy is a crippling infective disease affecting the skin, mucous membrane, and nervous system. It causes wasting of limbs and severe disability with consequent ostracism by family and society. Some of our patients have been disowned by their families and are not received back even after being completely cured. Despite advances in medicine and the availability of reconstructive surgery to correct disabilities, the stigma and societal taboos around this disease still persist. Although global efforts at eradication of this dreaded disease have been undertaken by WHO over the last 20 years, the disease is still prevalent especially among the lower socio-economic groups. Here at KND, we register an average of 70 new cases annually.
KND has the following services:
OPD: Patients are treated at our OPD clinics at the centre as well as at the outreach centres at Udhwa, Vevji and Kinowli. Currently there are around 100patients undergoing Multi-Drug-Therapy (MDT). The duration of treatment is about6 to 12 months.
IPD:Patients with severe lepra reaction syndrome and disabilities caused by wasting of extremities are admitted to our In Patient facility. Around 60 resident patients receive the regular treatment consisting of medication, and care of affected limbs. In addition they are given a high protein diet needed to help fight the disease.
The in patients also undergo daily physiotherapy to correct deformities and prevent further damage.
Patients with severe disability are taken for reconstructive surgery to a hospital in Versova, Mumbai. Following reconstructive surgery they are followed up at KND with rehabilitative physiotherapy.
Occupational Therapy: As an essential part of their therapy, patients engage in activities such as candle making, knitting mufflers, weaving doormats, card making, stringing necklaces, etc. Besides being another form of physiotherapy by exercising their deformed fingers, OT also has a psychotherapeutic effect by keeping them gainfully occupied. Of course, they are happy to receive the money that comes from the proceeds of the sale of the articles.
Permanent Resident Facility is a rehabilitation programme for destitute patients who have recovered but have been disabled by the disease. We have 23 such destitute patients in 2 hamlets. They are given a small plot of land where they grow rice and vegetables.
Rehabilitation of the Entire Family is undertaken through extension servicesrendered to the children who suffer because of the stigma of their parents’ affliction. KND assists in helping them get admission in schools and finding employment as needed.
If you would like to join hands with us and collaborate in this project of reaching out to this section of the marginalized in society, you are welcome to contact:
Sister In-charge
Canossa Convent,
Vadoli, Talasari,
Dt. Palghar.
Email: kusht.nivaran@rediffmail.com
Mob: +91.8698682752/8554030668