TLM Purulia Hospital

ABOUT THE HOSPITAL

TLM Purulia Hospital was established in the year 1888.

It all started with Rev. Henry Uffman, a German missionary and pastor of the local Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Purulia, West Bengal, in 1888. Seeing the suffering of leprosy patients thrown out of their homes because of the stigma associated with the disease, Rev. Uffman built thatched huts at the southern part of Bhatbandh Christian Burial ground (afterwards it was shifted to the present place) to provide them care and shelter. The Mission to Lepers (now, The Leprosy Mission Trust India) was associated with Rev. Uffman’s work from the very beginning.

The hospital always kept pace with the latest developments in leprosy care. In the 1950s, Dr Paul Brand pioneered reconstructive surgery for leprosy patients, and in 1954, doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists of the hospital were trained in reconstructive surgery. From its humble beginnings, the hospital has grown into a specialist leprosy hospital-cum-community hospital catering to leprosy patients and general patients in rural West Bengal.

The facilities provided by the hospital include outpatient and inpatient services, operating theatre, laboratory, ECG and X-ray services, counselling, physiotherapy, pharmacy, MCR protective footwear and artificial limbs.

MEDICAL SPECIALTIES

The hospital offers healthcare services and treatments for the following medical specialties:

• Leprosy Treatment and Management
• Dermatology
• Ophthalmology
• General Medicine
• Diabetic supportive care
• Mental health
• General Surgery
• Orthotic and Prosthetic services.
• Physiotherapy
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Counselling Therapy
• Dentistry

HIGHLIGHTS 2025

Outpatient Care

• 72,366 OPD consultations provided, with 21% for leprosy.

Inpatient Care

The hospital has a 100-bedded (80 for leprosy and 20 for general) inpatient wing and provides the best inpatient facility with 24-hour nursing care and the latest equipment.

• 1,708 patients were admitted, of whom 56% were leprosy patients.
• 23,160 beds were utilised, of which 92% were for leprosy.

Surgery

• 91 rehabilitation surgeries were done.
• 736 eye surgeries, including 671 cataract surgeries, were done.
• 340 general surgeries were done.

Support services (lab tests; X-ray, ECG, counselling)

• 29,558 lab tests, including 2,588 skin smear examinations and 26,970 other tests done.
• 1,939 X-ray imaging and 884 ECG done.
• 2,753 patients counselled.

Support services (lab tests; X-ray, ECG, counselling)

• 50,167 lab tests, including 2,825 skin smear examinations and 47,342 other tests, were done.
• 1,444 X-ray imaging and 799 ECGs done.
• 2,400 patients counselled.

Prevention of impairment and disability (POID) in leprosy

The hospital provides patient education, physiotherapy, prefabricated splints, and MCR protective footwear, etc. to leprosy patients to prevent impairment and disability.

• 333 leprosy patients diagnosed with reaction/neuritis were given inpatient treatment.
• 362 leprosy patients were admitted for ulcer management, and 159 ulcer debridement procedures were done.
• 1109 pairs of MCR protective footwear were manufactured and supplied to hospital patients and government/others.

Community Outreach

The hospital has a community outreach programme in schools and tribal villages. This is done through networking with the government and other NGOs. The hospital supports people affected by leprosy and members of marginalised communities and tribes in accessing government social welfare schemes for education, economic development, healthcare, housing, insurance, livelihood pension, etc.

A total of 3,096 patients were seen through hospital outreach activities.

 

Contact Details

Dr Helen Roberts, Medical Superintendent
TLM Purulia Leprosy Home and Hospital
P.O Box No. 9
Purulia
West Bengal – 723 101

E-mail: purulia@leprosymission.in

Phone: +91 3252-222501 / 222492

How to Get There

By Air: The nearest airport is Ranchi Airport, 114 km from the hospital

By Train: The nearest railway station is Purulia Junction, 5.5 km from the hospital.