Father Adam Wiśniewski, MD, and his work for lepromatous patients in India

Abstract

Father Adam Wiśniewski (1913-1987), who was a Pallottine and a medical doctor with specialization in tropical diseases, devoted his life to helping and curing leprosy patients in India. His life proved difficult and varied. He began his medical studies during World War II in occupied Warsaw. What is more, he participated in the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, for which he later received the Cross of Valour, one of the highest Polish commendations. He learned about leprosy in France and then moved to India to use his medical knowledge to treat lepers and stop the spread of the disease. He created a center for the impoverished at Jeevodaya, India, which is still serves as a refuge for patients with leprosy.