Leprosy mailing list – July 30th,
2006
Ref.: Beggars
From: Amhad L., Karachi, Pakistan
Dear Dr Noto,
In Pakistan we have same laws towards beggary
(Vijay, LML July 18th, 2006). Karachi harbours
maximum number of leprosy beggars.
They are given shelter, food and medical help in leprosy centre
run by an NGO. They
are of two types:
1.permanent ones who stay in leprosy centre
and go out for begging in front of mosques on Fridays and other
religious days;
2.seasonal ones come in winter from northern
cold areas and beg in crowded shopping centres.
They are also helpful in generating funds for
the centre. Pictures of
those who have deformed and mutilated faces, hands and feet are
printed on promos with a caption (HELP TO ERADICATE LEPROSY) are sent
to philanthropists and receive an average 50 - 60 lac rupees annually
from Karachi only (and of course there is no law against it). One of such female patient was
brought from Afghanistan during war was presented before a group of foreign
philanthropists, who funded to purchased a large piece of land and
cost of construction of a CRIPPLE HOME FOR WOMAN. After construction, a
monastery, a private school for children and a 5-bedded cripple home
for women are in the premises (and there is no law against it).
Beggary is a deep-rooted problem in the culture
of Indo Pakistan. Introduction
of new laws and its enforcement is very necessary to overcome the
menace.
With regards,
Dr Latif Ahmad
