Rehabilitation Home - Leprosy
Patients come from all over Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states to be treated at the 200 bed hospital which has facilities for Reconstructive surgery, Physiotherapy, X-Ray, Clinical Laboratories, Orthopedic and Cobblery Workshops.
Patients are trained in tailoring, weaving and candle making and produce clothing, and uniforms for the hospital and for sale to the public. The technical rehabilitation workshop offers training in arc and gas welding, machining, spray painting, carpentry, plumbing and electrical work. Some patients are able to receive small loans from a revolving fund for their nurses training/education.
Starting as a rehabilitation home for destitute leprosy patients, the SRH has evolved into one of the finest Service, Training & Research Institutions. Many of the hand reconstructive surgical techniques pioneered at SRH have been presented at various National and International Conferences. The Plastic Surgery Department of Gandhi Medical College Hospital, and Plastic Surgeons from SURGICORPS International, USA have visited SRH to observe the new surgical techniques adopted for hand surgery to train their Post Graduate students.
As a result of efforts spearheaded by SRH, the prevalence of leprosy in the project area has declined dramatically from 90.2 per 10,000 in 1978 to less than one per 10,000 in 2003. For decades, the SRH had relied on governmental support for its many Leprosy programs. Recent years has seen a significant decline in the level of governmental funding for Leprosy. Unfortunately, many individuals with Leprosy still go untreated. Donations are urgently needed to maintain the important service these programs provide.
