Jammu Hemalatha
Jammu Suridu, 36, w/o Appala Naidu, hails from the Cantonment area in Vizianagaram. She had a daughter, Hemalatha studying in Intermediate 2nd year and a son, Jagadeesh, in 10th class. In her family, except her daughter, the other three members are affected with Leprosy. All three were treated for MB MDT. Jammu Suridu was affected with ENL reaction and treated at Referral Centre level but was unable to control. She was referred to BPHRC for Thalidomide treatment earlier. Her husband is a lorry cleaner cum Driver. He is an alcoholic. He was not responsible for the family and didn’t support them. She was psychologically depressed. She approached legal support with the help of the Referral Centre. He didn’t change his behaviour and was kept in prison too. After the repeated sessions, he is alright now and staying with family members.
LEPRA had given CHAHA Education Support to her children for the last 2 years. The children are good at studies and secure more than 70% in their class. This year, we had supported Hema Latha and in the process of supporting the younger child too. The family is happy for providing educational support.