(This website depicts the work of NLR in India and NLR India Foundation (A Local Trust).)

In response to COVID19, NLRIF as of 24th Jul ’20 has reached: Awareness on symptoms and prevention – 308696; persons affected with leprosy reached – 8500; families of leprosy affected provided with essential food, medical and hygiene kits -3176, No. of needy patients provided MDT – 126; Demonstrations (Hand Wash, Use of Mask, Social Distancing) – 11169; and IEC material distributed – 7158.

Leprosy can be treated and that treatment is available for free and locally.
Leprosy is not transmitted from one generation to next generation.
Let us encourage abilities and discourage disabilities.
Leprosy is curable with Multi drug therapy (MDT).
Leprosy is least infectious disease.

Our Interventions

Leprosy and Disabilities-Four Key Priority Programmes (KPPs)

In our fight against leprosy, we have initiated four priority programmes to direct our work. These are in line with the global leprosy strategy of the World health Organization and the Triple Zero campaign of the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations. They also contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development of Goals of the United Nations.

Stop transmission of leprosy

Strengthening National Leprosy Eradication Program: NLR India has promoted early case detection and prevention of disability in the program. NLR India is supporting new initiatives taken by Central Leprosy Division (CLD), such as Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC), SPARSH (anti- discriminatory behavior change communication, BCC), web based information system (Nikushth), Mathematical modeling of NLEP, use of GIS and strengthening DPMR services.

Capacity building of general health care staff is continued through formal trainings, on the job training and hand holding during field visits, by our LPAs.

Combined approaches for prevention and management of disability

Combined Self-care:- All the persons detected for leprosy are givenMulti-Drug Therapy (MDT) and they become cured but in some of them deformities/ disabilities may remain forever because of the permanent nerve damage. Their hands and feet become anesthetic and weak. This condition makes them susceptible to develop progressive secondary disabilities like ulcers, contractures, blindness etc., which often goes unnoticed or ignored. Therefore, prevention of these secondary disabilities is essential to preserve the functioning of parts like hands, feet and eyes for performing routine daily activities. Here we help them with training in self-care practices.

Keeping in mind the need of other disabilities and to broaden the scope of disability inclusive development, NLR India Foundation has promoted the combined self-care (CSC) projects combining persons with disability due to leprosy and disabled persons due to lymphatic filariasis who all require life-long morbidity management, life-long care and behavioral change.

Combined self-care was started in 6 Primary Health Centres in 2018. 242 people with disabilities joined. In all cases, the worsening of disabilities was prevented.

Disability Inclusive Development

To enable inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities including persons affected by leprosy,NLR India has successfully established Community based People’s Institutions in the forms of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Village Development Committees (VDCs), Block Development Committees (BDCs), Disabled People’s organizations (DPOs) and Leprosy People’s Organization (LPO). These institutions have successfully demonstrated their effectiveness in community-based rehabilitation of persons with disabilities including families affected by leprosy. Though these structures, people are able to voice for their right and entitlements with the duty bearers and lead an empowered and dignified life.

Reduction of stigma and discrimination

SPARSH campaign under National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP) on 30th January involving Panchayati Raj Institutions have been very successful in which oaths were taken by the leaders and the community not to discriminate with persons affected by leprosy. NLR India played a major role. Rallies and meetings were supported by NLR India during anti leprosy fortnight. Involvement of village volunteers in LCDC for early case detection was promoted by NLR India under the program, integrated and combined self-care removed stigma.

NLR India Foundation wishes that the persons affected by leprosy and other disabilities are given equal opportunities in terms of livelihoods, socio-cultural participation and in decision making process without any discrimination. Innovative approaches are implemented for regaining self-esteem by affected persons and reduced discrimination by community.

LPEP

Over the past decade the annual number of newly detected leprosy cases globally has stagnated at around 200,000 – 250,000, including children.

PEP++

The PEP++ is a multi-country, multi-partners collaborative research program, which is being implemented in three leprosy high burden countries namely India, Brazil and

What We Achieved Last Year

6829

SDR given to new paents During 2015-18 cumulave 30,295 close contacts of new leprosy paents were given a single dose of rifampicin (SDR) to reduce the risk of developing leprosy, in Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

11683

Under PEP++ research project-11683 close contacts of 1016 index cases has been enlisted in Chandauli and Fatehpur districts of Uar Pradesh in the month of November and December 2018.

1420

1420 health workers, community volunteers, accredited social health acvists (ASHAs), and government health staff were trained on leprosy.

242

242 persons disabled by leprosy and lymphedema were trained in self- care to help prevent (further) disability

178

178 persons got assisve devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, sunglasses, orthopaedic footwear and prosthesis NLR India facilitated social welfare department for this campaign.