On healing mission

Our correspondent Ramashankar meets the man committed to treating leprosy patients and dispelling stigma around the disease

- Ramashankar

MAHATMA Gandhi once said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." An ayurvedacharya (Ayurvedic doctor) in Bihar's Samastipur district is doing just that. His passion for serving mankind goes beyond his official duty hours to right at the doorsteps of patients in remote villages.

Meet Dr. Kaushal Kishor Mishra, who is currently posted as a medical officer at Government Ayurvedic College in the district. The 46-year-old doctor is not only treating patients affected by leprotients affected by leprosy but is also fighting the stigma around the disease, just like the father of the nation did almost 100 years ago.

Leprosy is an infectious disease, which affects the skin, nerves, eyes, and respiratory tract. In 2020, over 200,000 cases were reported across the world, and about half of those were in India. Though treatable, many states, including Bihar, are struggling to completely wipe out the disease because of the ostracization of the affected from the small communities, especially in the villages.

Here, Dr. Mishra's efforts become noticeable. Dr.

Mishra shares that leprosy patients are like any other sick individuals who need proper medical care.

"Such people (with leprosy) are neglected by society. They are also part of the society.