Dr. M. Balu honored with service excellence award
A local physician has been honored for his work with people affected by leprosy. Dr. Mani Balu, a pediatrician in Uniontown, has received the Tamil Nadu Foundation’s (TNF) 2010 service excellence award, a recognition given to him for his annual pilgrimage to serve leprosy patients in Tamil Nadu.
According to Balu, leprosy-affected people are “the most pathetic among the unfortunate in the world.
“From the Biblical times they have been shunned, ostracized, ill treated and misunderstood. Even today, they are kept away from the main stream of general population all over the world,” he said.
“Since I became a doctor more than 50 years ago, I always wanted to help these downtrodden human beings any way I could. I had the good fortune to meet two exceptional ladies who are dedicated to the cause of leprosy eradication all over India, especially in Tamil Nadu.
“Through TNF events, I met Mrs. Padma Venkataraman, daughter of former Indian president Mr. R. Venkataraman, and Rebecca (Becky) Douglas of Atlanta. They serve leprosy patients by providing decent housing in their colonies, arranging for micro financing to start new businesses and finding jobs.
“These initiatives prevent leprosy patients from begging and enable them to become self reliant. Through Rising Star Outreach, we started a mobile clinic that visits several leprosy colonies in and around Chengleput, six days a week. We have a full time doctor and nurse helping patients take proper care of their wounds and ulcers. They do not have any sensation in their hands and feet because the disease affects the peripheral nerves,” Balu said.
He explained that patients who need in-patient care are admitted to Sri Ramachandra Medical College free of charge or for minimal fees.
“With proper care health care, many of these patients are getting better. Leprosy can be completely cured with multiple drug therapy (MDT). All our patients are completely cured of leprosy disease even though they have the stigma.
“With donations from the U.S., we have bought a 13-acre land near Chengleput where the children and grandchildren of these patients are housed, fed and taught. The campus also includes a K-to-8th grade school. The school and the surroundings are kept very clean. A water purification plant provides pure water; children are fed nutritious food and play in a big play ground. None of the children have leprosy,” Balu said.
“I have been spending on an average three months a year with them for the past six years. Any monetary help is also very welcome. In the past six years I have seen a significant improvement in the leprosy patients’ health and lifestyle and that brings joy to all of us,” he said.