MEDICAL PROGRAM
The Medical Unit of Rising Star Outreach of India works with dedication, care, and compassion toward leprosy-affected persons and their families. The services of the medical unit have saved and provided healing for many patients’ lives. Tens of thousands of services are provided each year, helping thousands of people. A detailed history collection is conducted with the patient regarding their present and past medical and surgical histories, family background, and hereditary details about the disease. Patients open up when the health professional collects their details with love and care. Our team has a strong rapport in the communities where we serve. Below are just a few of the activities conducted through this program, to help heal the leprosy affected and offer preventative care.
Monitoring Vital Signs
We accurately monitor the following vital signs of the patients, tracking baseline data and any changes: temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.
Eye Care
The eyes are one area of the body often impacted by the disease of leprosy, which can ultimately lead to blindness if untreated. We provide ophthalmic treatment for patients with vision abnormalities, eye infections, cataracts, and other eye disorders, to help patients maintain or improve their vision and sense of dignity.
Dental Care
Dental care can impact many areas of health, including the basic ability to chew and process food needed for nutrition that helps the body fight disease. Rising Star has an experienced and dedicated Dentist that serves the patients by providing treatment for dental caries, gum diseases, and tooth abscesses. Dental plaque is also treated by scaling procedure. The dental care offered by RSOI benefits many patients, including our students.
Leprosy Screenings and Health Education
Our Leprosy Health Inspector educates community members and patients about the cause of leprosy, clinical manifestations, how one goes about diagnostic evaluation, treatment modalities, medical and surgical treatments, and preventive measures. Many people lack knowledge about Type I and Type II leprosy; thus, our inspector also helps educate patients about specifics within each type.
Our inspector also conducts thousands of screenings for leprosy each year and then refers any new cases to hospitals for registration and medicine. We then closely monitor the patient, follow their treatment plan, watch for recidivism, and conduct follow-up care. Frequent screenings help us catch new cases before the disease progresses to debilitating effects. We then use preventative care with close contacts of the new patient, helping to slow the spread of leprosy.
Wound Care
The primary care we provide to leprosy-affected patients is wound care. Sincere and dedicated nurses provide wound care to the patients by sterilely applying
antibiotics, ointments, gauze, and bandages. Patients express great satisfaction and happiness with the care they receive from RSOI's medical team.
Medicine and Supplies
Patients are taught the principles of caring for their wounds, provided wound self-care kits for the weeks between our visits, and monitored in their application of this program. This method dramatically enhances the healing process and makes the patients more self-reliant and knowledgeable about self-care. Social workers are provided to offer necessary counseling and training for patients regarding proper hygiene, wound care, nutrition, exercise, responsible alcohol and drug use, birth control, and other medical concerns.
School Leprosy Awareness Programs
The RSOI Health Inspector, Medical Director, and health professionals reach out to different student populations at schools and colleges to provide complete and accurate knowledge regarding leprosy. They both help dispel myths and provide awareness about what to look for and when to seek treatment. Students are also encouraged to spread the learned information and preventive measures in their neighborhoods and all the places they come across daily.
Microcellular Rubber (MCR) Footwear & Protective Devices Unit
Microcelluar Rubber (MCR) is a specially formulated rubber that helps cushion and prevent injury (ulcers) for persons affected by neuropathy. In all of the colonies where we serve, we provide customized MCR footwear to patients in need. This helps protect the feet from further injuries caused by ill-fitting shoes, common due to the deformity often caused in the feet by advanced leprosy. If the shoes fit more appropriately, the patient is less likely to develop ulcers, which often lead to amputations. Each pair of our MCR sandals is individually measured and then created by our footwear technicians to fit the patient's feet. This service is provided free of cost.
Also, patients needing amputations are provided with necessary prosthetics and mobility needs. RSOI has provided more than 946 mobility assistance devices
Trichy Unit
The Trichy branch office was inaugurated on June 2, 2014. A full-fledged medical team has been established there with a supporting qualified social worker. This medical unit continues to provide professional assistance fortnightly to 15 local colonies and three extension colonies with 1,564 patients, covering the southern region of Tamil Nadu. Our team has a zealous commitment to providing quality health care to leprosy patients, as well as colony development services.