Uplift Kashmir

25 March - Team visited the Leprosy Colony in Bahrar area of Srinagar, Kashmir. Bahrar is after the name of a sufi mystic poet Aziz Bahrare. This colony was founded in 1892 by a British lady Miss Mary.

The colony has population of 250 persons including children. Out of 250 almost 90-100 are suffering from leprosy and rest are recovered from the disease.

There are almost 66 houses in the colony which are not in proper condition. There was school for the children within the colony but was closed many years ago. Hospital within the colony is very old reminding of British Empire. The people living within the colony depend on the donation provided by the people, government and some local agencies.

DaD team distributed Dettol hand wash detergent soap for washing clothes and biscuits.
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Dr.Waris visited the colony with a friend in 2005 and screened many people. He had seen so many amputee cases and foot drop and some with claw hands. The head of the colony is also suffering from leprosy. They also marry within the colony and that is how new families come into existence . The condition of the houses and the aid is very poor, Govt is least concerned about them. This year's visit was to explore how these people can be helped further.

Throughout history, the sufferers of leprosy have often been ostracised by society. An intense fear of leprosy still persists, leading to stigmatisation of affected persons and their families. Leprosy is a chronic, infectious disease. It affects the skin and peripheral nerves and if left untreated, there can be permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. About 70% of the world's registered leprosy patients live in India. 

11 March 2011  
About 300 patients including children visited the camp which was organised at Mujpather Budgam primary school. We were 5 team members who went for the camp. Medicines were distributed among the patients. Those who were disabled were assisted and were advised for physiotherapy. 

Those patients who were having LBA or cervical related problems they were given ergonomic advices and home exercise programming. 10 teeth extractions were performed and others were made  aware about the oral hygiene. Due to lack of oral rehabilitation items we were not able to continue for the maximum. Some of the patients suffering from tooth ache and dental problems they were given medicines and some of the elder patients were given tooth brushes and pastes. 

Some of the disabled cases seen were: polio, delayed mile stone, Cerebral palsy, hydrocephalis, post polio syndrome, hemiplegia, ventricular septal defect, myasthenia gravis. We did distribute among the children the following items:  pencils, erasers, sharpeners, drawing books, sketch colour pens, tooth pastes and tooth brushes. So it was a day full of work and we indeed enjoyed the snow that was still present there.  For more photos click HERE

With best regards,  

Dr.Mohammad Waris, Project Manager
196 Buchwara,Dalgate,Srinagar, Kashmir, India 190001