Rautahat, July 14 A Lalitpur-based NGO has taken the initiatives to rescue a leprosy patient who was expelled from his house and village for the illness a year ago in Basantapatti, Rautahat. Sixty-five-year old Inar Dev Ram was expelled after being diagnosed with leprosy that has affected his hand and leg. The Himalayan Times had published a news article about his expulsion on July 9. READ ALSO

• Rautahat elderly man ostracised for leprosy

A team of doctors from Ananda Ban, a non-governmental organisation located at Lele of Lalitpur rescued him on July 10. The organisation said that the elderly has been receiving treatment and counselling at Lele-based Leprosy Hospital. Leprosy Mission Nepal Programme Officer Santosh Sunuwar said that the organisation took the elderly who was living a hard and lonely life under a tent on the banks of the Gandaki canal after they saw the news article in THT. He expressed his concerns over the myopic attitude of society towards leprosy patients. Before taking him to the capital, Ram was first taken to his family. “A preliminary check-up has confirmed that he has leprosy. We have also initiated counselling,” said Sunuwar.