Japanese NGO Assures Rs 75 Lakh for Leprosy Centre Relocation

Concerned over the deteriorating condition of a leprosy centre in the capital, a Japanese NGO has assured to donate Rs 75 lakh for either relocation or reconstruction of the facility.

Yohei Sasakawa, President of Nippon Foundation and goodwill ambassador of World Health Organisation (WHO) gave the assurance when he visited the Satya Jeevan Kushta Ashram on July 16, the Federation of Leprosy Organisations said in a statement here today.

The rooms in the Ashram, a 20-year-old leprosy centre in Lajpat Nagar area of the capital, have "started collapsing" because of this month's heavy rain and it poses "impending risk to the lives and properties of the occupants," the Federation said.

When it was conveyed to Sasakawa that Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has already directed the officers of Delhi Jal Board and Municipal Corporation of Delhi to relocate the centre after the allotment of new site, but no funds were made available for relocation, Sasakawa "assured to donate Rs 75 lakh to relocate, reconstruct the leprosy centre," it said.

"Since the funds are available, the government has now simply to take a decision to allot an alternative site. An informal decision has already been taken to provide alternative site in a locality near Madanpur Khadar village next to Apollo Hospital."

Source:PTI News