Report by Saumya Parida; Bhubaneswar: Odisha-based doctor Dr PKB Pattnaik selected for prestigious Damien-Dutton award. Dr. Pattnaikhas become the eighth person from India to be selected for the prestigious Damien-Dutton award for the year 2012.

Dr Pattanaik (51) has been selected in recognition of his more than 25 years of dedication to the victims of leprosy in India and for his direct involvement in making the multi-drug therapy available to the people affected with leprosy in pursuance of his goal to eliminate leprosy in Odisha. State Health Minister Damodar Rout  Congratulated Dr. Patnaik for this unique honour.

Dr. Rout said, "Other doctors working in the field should learn from the dedication of Dr Pattnaik." Dr Pattanaik, presently working as State Leprosy Officer, Odisha  and State Nodal Officer NCD programme at Directorate of Health Services, Bhubaneswar, is also Honorary Secretary, Hind Kustha Nivaran Sangh, Odisha State Branch since 1996. Under his leadership and with his direct involvement Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) programme was extended to all 30 districts with detection of over 1.15 million leprosy cases.

Damien-Dutton Society for Leprosy AID INC was foundedby Staff Sgt Howard E Crouch, Medical Corps U S Army in 1944. It yearly awards a notable person for his significant contribution towards the conquest of Leprosy.

Dr Dharmendra was the first man from India to get this award in 1970 followed by Muralidhar D Amte (Baba Amte) in 1983, Mother Teresa (1984), Dr K V Deskan (2000), Eliazar T Rose (2005) and Dr E P Fritschi (2006).