Dev Bhoomi Samiti: a leprosy NGO in Uttarakhand saving lives

Care, food and companionship in Uttarakhand

Dev Bhoomi Samiti supports older people affected by leprosy through community service, food support and personal visits. This article explains the needs behind that work. Current campaign budgets and published updates describe the specific supplies being requested and the progress reported.

Understanding leprosy respectfully

Leprosy, also called Hansen’s disease, can affect the skin and nerves. Nerve damage may reduce the ability to feel pain, so injuries can go unnoticed. Untreated or late-treated disease can cause lasting disability; describing fingers and toes as simply “disintegrating” is misleading. CDC: signs and symptoms.

Leprosy can be cured with a combination of antibiotics prescribed by a qualified clinician. Diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care should be managed by healthcare professionals. CDC: clinical overview.

The illness does not spread through ordinary casual contact such as sitting together or shaking hands. Transmission generally requires prolonged, close exposure to someone with untreated disease. Accurate information can help communities challenge stigma. CDC: about leprosy.

Everyday support matters

Older people living with disability or social isolation may need help obtaining food, keeping appointments and maintaining daily routines. Support should respect each person’s choices, privacy and dignity. Community volunteers can offer companionship and practical assistance while clinical decisions remain with qualified professionals.

Follow the current appeal

Our current food and hygiene campaign has an itemised budget and a distribution update. Supplies received, distribution in progress and completed support are separate stages. A donation amount should not be understood as a guarantee of a particular medical treatment or a fixed personal outcome.

For assistance, in-kind contributions or a visit, contact the team to discuss current needs and arrangements. To offer your time, use the volunteer application form.

Organisation records and donation documentation

Our organisation documents include the society renewal certificate and public copies of the published tax orders. Eligibility for an 80G deduction depends on the applicable approval, donor eligibility, payment method and documentation; it is not a guaranteed saving for every donor.

Editorial update: 9 October 2026. Health information is based on the CDC sources linked above. This is general awareness information; no individual clinician review is claimed.