_Schieffelin Institute of Health, Research & Leprosy Centre, Karigiri
The Schieffelin Institute of Health is located in the rural village of Karigiri in Tamilnadu. Established in 1955 as a research centre for the study of leprosy, it soon became a fully functioning hospital. Today the institute provides a general health service for the surrounding villagers who cannot make the 20 km trek to the Christian Medical College (CMC) in neighboring Vellore, Schieffelin still maintains a state of the art research centre for the study of leprosy.
There is very little funding for further research on Leprosy, due party because other disease (such as HIV/Aids) attract most of the focus, but also because it is believed by many western countries that the disease has been eradicated. The nature of the disease is still not completely understood; for example how the disease is contracted is still not known. Because of this lack of funding, the priority of most research is directed towards finding the most effective methods for controlling the disease, its management and rehabilitation in affected patients. |
The Institute has many different departments that specialise in different areas of treatment. If caught early, Leprosy is fully treatable, however most patients do not seek health services until it’s too late. Because leprosy causes loss of feeling in the extremities, many leprosy patients need protection from day to day activities like walking. Therefore, it was essential to develop some sort of material that would provide adequate protection and softness.
In 1965, MCR was developed in Karigiri in collaboration with the Madras Rubber Factory in Chennai. MCR is a specially processed rubber material, where bubbles of air are introduced into the rubber, creating "micro cells" that generate a controlled amount of softness and cushioning. This type of rubber is made on site at the Institute and then taken to the Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics to be made into shoes and other prosthesis. Each shoe, orthotic or prosthetic has to be made according to the patient's disability. The Maria Marina Foundation has generously donated sufficient funds for 1,000 pairs of shoes for people afflicted with leprosy. |
Originally designed for leprosy patients, today the department of prosthetics and orthotics also aids other disabilities. The workshop was upgraded in 2004 with the help of ASHA (USAID) and is now the first ever CAD CAM for prosthesis in India, working with thermoplastics work, footwear and laser alignment techniques.
The Physiotherapy department provides appropriate physical rehabilitation for patients with disabilities and impairments from leprosy. This can be anything from using interferential and short-wave therapy for joint and muscle pain to the construction of various splints and prosthetics helping those with lasting disabilities.
Leprosy can cause many disabilities, even loss of limbs. To deal with this, the institute’s occupational therapy department takes care of the functional requirements of its patients. Occupational therapy can begin post-operative, helping patients get back to as normal a life as possible. Routine occupational therapy services are provided for both in and out patients.
Other departments at Karigiri include the Department of Ophthalmology, as leprosy can affect the nerves around the eyes, as well as clinical Psychology, since leprosy can be as detrimental psychologically as it can physically. Many people who suffer from the disease are excluded from their villages. Psychologists try to educate both people who are affected by leprosy as well as others in the community in order to lessen the fear and stigma as well as help early detection of the disease.
Many patients come to the institute seeking not only treatment for leprosy but also a new life. Because of the stigma leprosy still carries, many people are excluded from their villages. Although patients generally only stay 2-3 weeks for treatment, some have nowhere else to go.
The Schieffelin Institute has many other projects which can help these people get their lives back on track. The rehabilitation unit runs on a non-profit basis, providing raw materials and training cured patients to produce products for sale such as pottery, garments, and printed goods. Many of these goods are sold in leading arts and crafts shops all around India. The workers are paid on a piece rate basis.
Next to the institute is Shanthigramam. A community of leprosy patients that have nowhere to go and are so disabled cannot care for themselves. The community is made up of 20 individual cottages, which are almost all full. The individual cottages are fitted for the needs of the occupant, some being fully wheelchair accessible. There is also a central building with a kitchen (with a hired cook), a communal meeting room and dressing room. There is a multi-faith church, catering to any religious needs of the community. Next to the church is a small plot of land the residents use to grow peanuts to earn some much needed cash.
The Physiotherapy department provides appropriate physical rehabilitation for patients with disabilities and impairments from leprosy. This can be anything from using interferential and short-wave therapy for joint and muscle pain to the construction of various splints and prosthetics helping those with lasting disabilities.
Leprosy can cause many disabilities, even loss of limbs. To deal with this, the institute’s occupational therapy department takes care of the functional requirements of its patients. Occupational therapy can begin post-operative, helping patients get back to as normal a life as possible. Routine occupational therapy services are provided for both in and out patients.
Other departments at Karigiri include the Department of Ophthalmology, as leprosy can affect the nerves around the eyes, as well as clinical Psychology, since leprosy can be as detrimental psychologically as it can physically. Many people who suffer from the disease are excluded from their villages. Psychologists try to educate both people who are affected by leprosy as well as others in the community in order to lessen the fear and stigma as well as help early detection of the disease.
Many patients come to the institute seeking not only treatment for leprosy but also a new life. Because of the stigma leprosy still carries, many people are excluded from their villages. Although patients generally only stay 2-3 weeks for treatment, some have nowhere else to go.
The Schieffelin Institute has many other projects which can help these people get their lives back on track. The rehabilitation unit runs on a non-profit basis, providing raw materials and training cured patients to produce products for sale such as pottery, garments, and printed goods. Many of these goods are sold in leading arts and crafts shops all around India. The workers are paid on a piece rate basis.
Next to the institute is Shanthigramam. A community of leprosy patients that have nowhere to go and are so disabled cannot care for themselves. The community is made up of 20 individual cottages, which are almost all full. The individual cottages are fitted for the needs of the occupant, some being fully wheelchair accessible. There is also a central building with a kitchen (with a hired cook), a communal meeting room and dressing room. There is a multi-faith church, catering to any religious needs of the community. Next to the church is a small plot of land the residents use to grow peanuts to earn some much needed cash.
The Sebastian Hunter Memorial Trust Registered Charity No. 1119191 45 Albemarle Street London W1S 4JL t: 02074951010 www.sebsschool.org
