Patients line up to take their medication at Jesu Ashram, Darjeeling, India. Photo: Jenny Cafiso/CJI

Canadian Jesuits International supports Jesu Ashram, a health care centre of the Jesuit Province of Darjeeling, which provides free medical treatment and care to poor and needy people, especially those living with leprosy and tuberculosis.

Jesu Ashram began in 1971 with a hospice and homes for disabled leprosy survivors established in Matigara by Canadian Jesuit Brother Robert Mittelholtz.

Today it runs a health centre with a capacity of 300 beds in three wards: general, tuberculosis and leprosy. It also runs various health programs, including counseling and nutritional support for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Jesu Ashram also runs an outpatient clinic where thousands have been treated over the years. In many cases of leprosy, the clinic has helped to control the infection early and prevent the deformities associated with later stages of the disease.

Some patients who are severely deformed and have nowhere to go are given a monthly allowance and settled in nearby houses built by Jesu Ashram, where some are engaged in income-generating activities.

Jesu Ashram also offers a three-year nursing course for women from poor families who have completed high school.

In 2022, CJI funded the installation of solar panels, which has improved service delivery and increased staff efficiency.

The project at a glance:

Beneficiaries

Direct: 300 in patients; 1,800 individuals from health awareness programs; 50 nursing students; 35 staff

 

Indirect: families of patients

 

CJI contribution: $150,00 (2025-2026)

Activities:

  • Health centre with three wards: general, tuberculosis and leprosy
  • Nursing program
  • Rehabilitation program for leprosy patients with severe deformities
  • Survey in slums and rural areas to identify cases of communicable diseases for treatment through medical camps
  • Medical camps to raise awareness about prevention of communicable diseases
  • Maintenance, repairs of buildings

 

Director: Fr Julius Kujur SJ

Visit the Darjeeling Jesuits’ website: https://darjeelingjesuits.in

Read the latest project impact report: Click here

Watch a video about Jesu Ashram here

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