Amid the bustling cityscape of Mumbai lies a quiet, powerful reminder of compassion, science, and social change — the Acworth Leprosy Museum, India’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the history and understanding of leprosy. Located within the Acworth Municipal Hospital for Leprosy in Wadala, the museum serves as a rare educational and humanitarian landmark.
Established in February 2003, the museum was founded by Sharad S. Naik of the Acworth Leprosy Hospital Research Society (ALH-RRE), in partnership with hospital authorities, to combat ignorance, stigma, and misinformation about the disease that has affected millions throughout history.
- Housed inside a historic hospital that dates back to 1890, originally called the Homeless Leper Asylum
- Dedicated to showcasing the social, medical, and cultural evolution of leprosy treatment in India and beyond
- Historical photographs, personal belongings, and wax models of patients and caregivers
- Detailed timelines tracing the progress from traditional healing methods to modern drug therapies
- Documentation of laws, taboos, religious beliefs, and public health campaigns surrounding leprosy
- Sections devoted to awareness efforts, public education, and the success of rehabilitation programs
- Location: Acworth Leprosy Hospital Campus, Wadala, Mumbai
- Timings: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
- Entry: Free and open to the public
“The museum is a tribute not just to science, but to the human spirit,” says a spokesperson from the hospital. “It reminds us that leprosy is a curable disease, and the bigger challenge lies in curing social prejudice.”
