"Listening
to the heartbeat of the common people, I experienced a
strong force of resilience in the face of the hardest situations,
which fills us with confidence for the future of our great
human family."
- Late Dr. Claire Vellut, Founder Trustee |
While in medical college at Louvain (Belgium) I wanted to
share the Lord’s love for His brothers and sisters, especially
those with special needs, and spontaneously I thought of India.
I became a member of a society, which is now called “International
Fraternal Association” and along with two companions Simone Liégeois
and Hélène Eenberg, who were both trained staff nurses, I left
for India in 1954. Just before, there had been a huge storm with
high tide at the Belgian coast, and an international appeal was
made for jute bags to fill sand and stop further flood damage.
India made a generous donation of several tonnes of jute bags.
By way of gratitude for this timely help some eminent persons
in Belgium set up a fund for a project in India. Thus, Dr Frans
Hemerijckx, a dedicated leprologist with 25 years experience
in Congo, was asked to initiate the founding of a leprosy control
programme in India, to equip it, to train staff, and then, as
per agreement, “after five years hand over the centre to the
Government of India lock, stock and barrel”. We were invited
to join this venture.
The village Polambakkam in Tamilnadu was chosen because it already
had a history of caring for leprosy patients started by Dr Cochrane.
It was situated in a highly endemic area and it was also close
to the Central Leprosy Teaching & Research Institute at Chingleput.
Moreover, the local population proved to be very cooperative.
This was to be a leprosy centre “on wheels”, with ambulatory
service in the midst of the people. It grew to become a model
project for mass treatment. Being aided by a “Belgian foundation”,
it was an important step in the international effort towards
leprosy control. We were fully involved in the work, with enthusiasm
and especially with respect for the patients whom we served.
After five years the then Madras State Government took over the
centre in 1960, but asked me to continue to be the medical officer
in charge for another five years, which was extended again and
again. At the end of 25 years, our records show that with a dedicated
staff of paramedical workers we had taken care of more than 50,000
patients in our 52 mobile “clinics under the trees”. We also
carried out epidemiological survey and research, and studied
the destruction of the nerve function in leprosy.
In the meantime, a voluntary organization, called “Friends of
Father Damien”, was founded in Belgium by Fr.Obbels and Jacques
Vellut. The latter got personally involved and with his wife,
put up the “Beatitudes” (Anandapuram), a home at Polambakkam
for advanced leprosy cases, mostly helpless patients without
family support. Back in Belgium, Jacques Vellut took an active
role in organizing the “Damien Foundation” (now called Damien
Action) with the backing of generous donors, for sponsoring dynamic
projects all over the world. Naturally, I supported the Indian
branch and became the founder of the Damien Foundation India
Trust (DFIT) in the year 1992. From 1980 till 1984 I was appointed
as a WHO short-term consultant in the field of leprosy control
in India and neighbouring countries. I helped to initiate the
Multi Drug Therapy scheme in the Purulia District of West Bengal.
I had been granted Indian citizenship in 1979. In 1981 the Government
of India awarded me with Padmashri. In 1984 I was nominated as
Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FAMS). In the same
year I was asked to serve as full-fledged secretary for the DFIT
till 1992. We made good efforts to initiate mass-oriented rural
leprosy centres in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Karnataka and Gujarat. These wre similar to the pattern
of Polambakkam, that is, to be handed over to the respective
states after 5 years of hard teamwork. We focused on early prevention
rather than belated cure. From the year 1996 the DFIT got simultaneously
involved in control of tuberculosis.
Dr. Claire Vellut with inmates of Polambakkam Home
All this was not possible without our many friends in Belgium.
My alma mater, the University of Louvain (KUL), made me “doctor
honoris causa” in public health. The Belgian Government also
added several awards in recognition for the many years of constant
service to the cause of leprosy. All this sounds good, but honestly,
it cannot compare with the sense of gratitude for having been
able to live and work so long in India, the country of my choice.
I could live in a village, take care of chronic patients and
be in close contact with their families. I could share my life
and expertise with colleagues and friends, while discovering
the esteemed values of Indian hospitality and deep spirituality.
Listening to the heartbeat of the common people, I experienced
a strong force of resilience in the face of the hardest situations,
which fills us with confidence for the future of our great human
family. In summary, I feel I have lived a very privileged life!
Read more about our founder Dr. Clarie Vellut at www.claire-vellut.net |
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