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The Leprosy Mission ministers in the name of Jesus Christ to the physical, mental, social and spiritual needs of individuals and communities disadvantaged by leprosy; working with them to uphold human dignity and eradicate leprosy. The Mission's vision is a world without leprosy and its goal is to eradicate the causes and consequences of leprosy.
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New TLM Prayer Partnership
A new TLM Prayer Partnership has been formed with TLM Salur in India. Over a number of years now Knowle Parish Church, with the PCC's approval, has had a prayer link with TLM through the Birch's in Bangladesh, Sioned Roberts in Bangladesh/Nepal, Kothara Community Hospital and lately Faizabad Community Hospital. Drs Ajit and Pramila Barkataki moved from Faizabad to TLM Poladpur. The link has now come to a natural end in the same way as our link with Kothara. Both had extreme difficulties with opposition to new building projects but with prayer support were able to overcome them.
TLM Salur was started in 1906 and treats around 3,500 leprosy patients, 5,000 eye patients and 15,000 general patients each year. Patients are from the most vulnerable sections of the community, including women, children, the disabled, the poor and low caste. The hospital serves the local community as well as the neighbouring districts of Orissa.
Over the last century there have been many changes but under the leadership of Dr Narendra Rao plans are underway to overhaul the hospital keeping in view the present and increasing needs of the centre. A new eye ward, out patients department, a new consulting wing, laboratory, kitchen and laundry are all part of the plans to upgrade the hospital. This will lead to more staff being employed for a growing hospital.
Salur has moved from a leprosy only hospital offering physiotherapy, reconstructive surgery, health education activities, ulcer care, footwear and activities to reduce the stigma associated with disease and worked hard to reduce the numbers of patients with deformities and disabilities to a community hospital delivering integrated care. This includes malaria, diabetes, eye care, TB and research.
The hospital's Superintendent Dr Narendra Rao says he `is happy to learn of the available prayer support for our work. We appreciate the concern you have for our ministry here. We have seen God's hand in the work at Salur for more than 100 years now. Recent developments encourage us to go forward in our service to Him. (The hospital is right now under renovation). Please convey our gratitude to Knowle Parish Church for partnering with us in this ministry'.
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 Postal address
Philadelphia Leprosy Hospital
Salur
Vizianagaram
Andhra Pradesh 532 591
India
Email; tlmsalur@tlmindia.org
For more information please contact:
Barbara Gentle, TLM Representative
Tel. 01564 773568
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| Barbara Gentle report on visit to Sular India The purpose of my visit to India was to attend the inauguration the new outpatient extension of TLM Salur, our TLM prayer Partners.
My trip included visits to TLM Delhi offices, TLM Naini, TLM Vizianagaram VTC, TLM Salur TLM's Media Centre, a school, an orphanage, self-help groups, former patients own homes and places of work. I also took part in morning devotions, Good Friday and Easter Day services. The latter lasting almost 3 hours!
On my arrival at Salur I was garlanded and given a posy of flowers. Flowers are in abundance in the region and I was given jasmine buds sewn together every day to put in my hair. Since the arrival of Drs Narendra and Daisy Rao the number of patients attending TLM Salur has increased dramatically. This meant new facilities and new ways of working needed to be put into place. The hospital will very soon be fully computerised giving greater efficiency to the care and treatment of the patients. The new OPD is bright and spacious with air-conditioning (temperatures get as high as 50c). I read messages from Michael Parker and Ann Bower on behalf of Knowle Parish Church and assured them of our continued prayers for them as building and upgrading continues. (There is a new eye ward being constructed at the moment). I was asked to unveil a plaque and to cut the ribbon to the new block.
Dr Daisy Rao and her team conduct 2 eye camps per month in the tribal villages and identify approx. 60-70 patients for surgery per camp.
I was also taken to visit a student that TLM was sponsoring. Gayadhari was 17 years old and had been presented with a plaque for coming 2nd in the whole of Salur in her studies. Ramullah was the President of a self-help group. She was taking a computer course and had also bought a buffalo with her loan which she had paid back and also had savings. Disile's husband had left her and their 2 children when she caught leprosy. While her mother cared for her children Disile trained at one of TLM's vocational training centres where she had learnt sewing and embroidery. She now has a thriving business where customers bring their cloth for her to embroider and to make clothes. Her 2 children also benefit from TLM's educational sponsorship (Catch Them Young programme). Five lives transformed by simple assistance who would otherwise have been without hope and dignity.
I saw Christ in action as staff treated and cared for patients through their dedication, love and compassion. Their faith is real and they give all the glory to God. He is their strength and purpose in all that they do.
I would like to thank Drs Narendra and Daisy Rao and all the staff at TLM Salur for all their love, kindness and generous hospitaliy during my stay with them.
Barbara Gentle
TLM International Board Member and local TLM representative
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Knowle Parish Church Supporting TLM Faizabad Community Hospital
From Dr Pramila Barkataki
The prayer partnership with Knowle Parish Church started in September 2004. It has been a great blessing for the staff and patients of The Leprosy Mission, Faizabad to know that we are not alone and that there are many who are upholding us in prayer. The year 2006 was a year of tension and pressure by those who would want to disrupt the construction of the new maternity ward and snehalaya (mercy home for those leprosy patients who are, for one reason or another, unable to return to their families or communities). Threats were also made to our safety. Had it not been for the tremendous prayer support of this prayer link and many others, we would not be standing firm in the Lord, as we did. Praise His name who, in the words of St Paul, `always leads us in triumph in Christ' (2Cor 2:14)
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each one of the members of Knowle Parish Church for helping to make the spiritual warfare at TLM Faizabad a victorious event.
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