Maharogi Seva Samiti: India’s First Gandhian-Led Leprosy Care Centre in Wardha

The story of leprosy care in India carries with it the efforts of individuals and institutions that shaped the country’s approach to one of its most stigmatised health challenges.

In the heart of Vidarbha's Wardha district, the Maharogi Seva Samiti at Dattapur stands as a notable chapter in this history.

Founded in 1936, the centre became the first indigenous institution of its kind led by Indian leadership and grounded in Gandhian philosophy. Its journey reflects a commitment to medical treatment, social inclusion, and rehabilitation at a time when the condition was widely associated with social exclusion and fear.

Foundations Built on Commitment

The establishment of the Maharogi Seva Samiti was driven by the work of Manohar Diwan, a social worker born in 1901.

His decision to create a dedicated leprosy care centre was shaped by the values promoted by Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave, who were both leading voices in India’s struggle for freedom and social reform. The choice of Wardha as the site was deliberate, placing the institution near Paunar Ashram, where Vinoba Bhave was working to implement Gandhian principles of constructive action.

This initiative emerged at a time when leprosy treatment in India was largely dominated by colonial missionary-run hospitals.

Unlike these institutions, which were often managed by foreign religious organisations, the Dattapur centre marked a shift towards Indian leadership in healthcare responses to the disease. It prioritised not only medical care but also the dignity and participation of those affected.

A significant figure in the early history of the Samiti was Pandit Dattatraya Parchure Shastri, a Sanskrit scholar who had been closely associated with Gandhi. Diagnosed with leprosy, Parchure Shastri initially received care at Gandhi’s Sevagram Ashram.

Recognising the need for a facility that could offer more focused treatment, Gandhi supported the move of Parchure Shastri to Dattapur. This marked the beginning of the centre’s operations, with Parchure Shastri becoming one of its first residents.

The presence of Gandhi in nearby Sevagram and his involvement with the early activities of the Samiti provided more than moral support. It shaped the approach of the institution, which viewed patients as full participants in their rehabilitation rather than passive recipients of charity.

This alignment with Gandhian values established a framework where healthcare was integrated with self-reliance, skill-building, and community engagement.

Growth Through Decades of Service

Over the years, the Maharogi Seva Samiti expanded its capacity and reach. By 1965, the centre had grown to accommodate around 800 residents. This expansion reflected both the scale of the challenge posed by leprosy in the region and the success of the institution in providing a safe and supportive environment for those affected.

The period of the centre’s growth coincided with significant changes in global approaches to leprosy treatment.

Until the 1980s, treatment largely relied on monotherapy using dapsone, which often required lifelong medication and did not always prevent the development of drug resistance.

The introduction of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) by the World Health Organisation marked a turning point in leprosy management.

Wardha district, where the Samiti operates, became one of the key sites in India where MDT was implemented. This method significantly improved treatment outcomes and reduced the long-term burden of the disease.

In 1981, the Government of India chose Wardha for an intensive leprosy eradication campaign using the Survey, Education, and Treatment (SET) approach. This decision was influenced by the work already underway at the Maharogi Seva Samiti and its surrounding institutions.

The SET method focused on active detection of cases, public education to reduce stigma, and effective delivery of treatment.

The involvement of the Samiti in these public health initiatives demonstrated how local organisations could contribute to national programmes. Its work helped shape policy and provided a practical model for integrated care, combining medical treatment with education, training, and rehabilitation.

A Holistic Model of Rehabilitation

The Maharogi Seva Samiti did not restrict its role to providing medical treatment alone. From the outset, the institution embraced a broader view of rehabilitation that involved productive activities, education, and self-sufficiency.

Its infrastructure was developed to include healthcare facilities alongside farms, cow shelters, and an industrial complex, where residents engaged in various forms of work as part of their recovery process.

In recent years, the centre underwent a significant restructuring under the name “Arogyaniketan.” This transformation expanded the scope of its activities, allowing the institution to address changing healthcare needs while staying true to its founding ideals.

The Arogyaniketan model now focuses on four key areas: leprosy eradication, women’s empowerment, lifestyle education and leadership development, and skill training through initiatives such as Agrindus at Seldoh.

The collaboration between the Samiti and other Gandhian organisations in the area reflects an effort to promote the concept of Gramswaraj, or village self-governance.

This approach integrates health with broader rural development, connecting the medical work of the centre to community empowerment projects.

The idea behind this model is that recovery involves more than just physical healing. It includes social participation, education, and economic independence.

An Institution in a Region Shaped by Care

Wardha district has long held a significant place in India’s efforts to address leprosy, with several key organisations working towards similar goals.

Alongside the Maharogi Seva Samiti, the region is home to the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation (GMLF), which was established in 1951. The foundation works with the National Leprosy Eradication Programme and operates hospitals, training units, and health education initiatives.

This concentration of leprosy care institutions in Wardha has made the district a centre for both innovation and outreach in the fight against the disease.

It has also provided opportunities for the training of social workers who have gone on to make contributions across the country.

Among those associated with the broader movement for leprosy care was Baba Amte, who founded Anandwan in 1949 at Warora, Maharashtra. Although Anandwan and the Dattapur centre are separate entities, both emerged from the shared commitment to dignity, rehabilitation, and care for people affected by leprosy.

The work of the Maharogi Seva Samiti at Dattapur continues to be recognised as a pioneering example of how healthcare, social inclusion, and rehabilitation can be brought together in the service of people often marginalised by disease.

It stands as a reflection of the Gandhian principle that social change must address both material needs and human dignity.

References

Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation. (n.d.). Maharogi Seva Samiti - Wardha. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://www.jamnalalbajajfoundation.org/wardha/maharogi-seva-samiti
Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation. (n.d.). Overview of Wardha. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://www.jamnalalbajajfoundation.org/wardha/overview
The Hitavada. (2025, February 9). Maharogi Sewa Samiti@75 Empowering the disadvantaged. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://www.thehitavada.com/Encyc/2025/2/9/MAHAROGI-SEWA-SAMITI-75.html