Yesterday, our last day at Karigiri, was a day in people's homes. Dr Mannam Ebeneezer, the present Director of Karigiri, even though he was on sabbatical leave, expressed a desire to meet with us. He explained how the hospital was at a crossroads, concerning its future. Staff,especially younger doctors, were not prepared to work the hours that they do at Karigiri, and for a lower rate of pay than in other, more-glamorous locations. He also shared with us some recent statistics on leprosy, where far from being eradicated, the disease is as rampant as ever, and that 60% of all new cases occur in India.
The work is far from over, but the funding is harder to find as long as the myth of the death of leprosy is perpetuated. Unfortunately even organisations such as The Leprosy Mission, at one time fund-providers for the work in Karigiri,have pulled out, as they too have difficulty in raising funds for their own work
We went at tea time to Valsa and Augustine, who spoilt us with some exciting and delicious sweets and cakes. What came through our encounters with both Dr Mannam and Valsa / Augustine, was the sheer amount of work they have to get through, work that is relentless and never finished. These folk need refreshment and time for re-creation, but in an under-resourced and over-stretched hospital like Karigiri, their finest people are dangerously-near burn-out. And perhaps the hospital is too. Please pray for Dr Mannam as her prepares to take on a further stint as Director, and for wisdom in how he should handle staffing the hospital in the future.
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