• Mobile Response
• Remote Response

Event 1: Food supply to West Bengal Leprosy Colonies through remote intervention
During the lockdown period, because of NLR India remote intervention of finding out the need from Leprosy colonies in five districts (Bankura, East Burdwan, Purulia, West Burdwan and West Medinipur) of West Bengal and requesting different state and district officials (namely the Chief Medical Officer Health, District leprosy officer, and District Nucleus Team Medical Officer), the essential food delivery is being maintained to 670 needy families; out of them 75 families did not have ration cards, government also agreed to provide them food. Once the lockdown opens, we will help these families in getting the ration cards issued.

Event 2: Teaching Social Distancing to a crowd standing in front of a Bank
NLR India’s COVID-19 emergency response team of Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh reached Niyamtabadvillage, Niyamtabad block on the 24rd April 2020, and observed a group of people standing in front of a bank without observing the social distancing norms; despite policemen standing close to them. The team got out of the vehicle and addressed them though the PA system about the importance of maintaining social distance in the fight against the COVID-19. To the team’s surprise, the crowd willingly complied and made a queue with persons standing at a distance of 2 meters between each other. The policemen also came and helped the team in making the queue. In the meantime, the District Magistrate of Chandauliwas passing through; he stopped and appreciated the work of NLR India’s emergency response team.

Event 3: Delivery of the much-needed MDT to a 16-years old girl
This event happened in Chandpurvillage, Sakaldiha block of Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh. NLR India’s COVID-19 emergency response team came across a 16-years-old girl, who was under Leprosy treatment but due to lockdown, she did not get her MDT supply from the health center and thus had missed a number of doses. The team was carrying MDT packets with them.The girl was provided MDT packet that would last a month. She and her parents were surprised and very thankful for getting this unexpected support. This was an awesome moment of the day for the team. The team noted the address of the girl, so that regular drug supply can be ensured in future till she completes her course.

Event 4: Reaching the unreached patient with medication
The Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India had successfully tracked two female patients of Leprosy at Chandauli district in UP. The team had reached Bhavatpura village under Chandauli block where they met these patients who are under MDT treatment. Both the patients could not be reached over the phone for last few months. It was a very happy moment for the patients as they had received the MDT packets which were unexpected in lockdown period. The team updated contact details of the patients for future support.

Event 5: Counseling and referral of COVID-19 suspect
In Kavalpurva village of Dhanapur block in Chandauli district, UP, the NLR team interacted with a person from the village and educated him about the facts of COVID-19 and activities of Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India. During the interaction, he had complained of symptoms like Corona virus infection and sought help from the team members. The team members heard the person carefully, provided necessary counseling and referred him to visit the nearest PHC for further action. He was also provided details of the designated testing entre for COVID-19.

Event 6: Apprehension among the people relating to Corona
The Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India was stopped and surrounded by some people at the Virna Village under Dhanapur block, Chandauli district, UP. The incident happened when they were returning from a patient’s house in the same village after giving the MDT medicine. The group thought a new Covid-19 case was identified and we had gone to the person’s house for necessary action. The team explained to them, the person was not a Covid-19 suspect or patient, he was on treatment of Leprosy. This incident depicts the magnitude of fear existing among the villagers about Covid-19.

Event 7: Effective Musical Audio messages
The Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India is playing different recorded audio messages on COVID-19 using Public Address (PA) system installed on vehicle, while driving through the villages and towns. It is noted, particularly one message based on a popular Hindi song has been drawing good attention from the listeners. This becomes a good learning for NLR India to use such IEC for its different work, particularly for PEP++ where the project is developing good amount of new IEC materials.

Event 8: Gram Pradhan& others learned hand washing techniques
The Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India had visited the MandaSarai village under Haswa block in Fatehpur district; UP. During the discussion with Gram Pradhan (village head) and other villagers at the MandaSarai village on the topics like wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and hand washing, the team had realized that the villagers still have some doubts on the correct steps of hand washing. Thus, the team demonstrated physically the technique of hand washing to all. The Gram Pradhan suggested such demonstration should also be done at the local where most of the villagers go to collect their Pensions. The team met another demonstration of the correct handwashing technique at the Post Office where there were a large number of people. The post master also joined the group; all were very impressed. The Gram Pradhan and others admitted that this the first time, they have learned the steps of hand washing correctly.

Event 9: Guidance to make the mask at home
In the Baghaila village of Haswa block in Fatehpur district, UP, the Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India had disseminated the information on wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and hand washing. The villagers expressed that the mask was not provided from any institution and the consequence of that they were not using the mask at all during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The team told the villagers that making a mask at home is quite an easy task and provided a demonstration of the process to make a mask at home by using cotton cloth. The villagers were quite happy to learn such new thing from the team and expressed now they will themselves make their mask at home and use.

Event 10: Practicing Social Distancing at Doctor’s Chamber
The Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India had visited a doctor’s clinic at the Haswa Market in Fathepur district, UP. The team saw a good number of patients standing at the doctor’s clinic without maintaining the social distancing norms. The team requested the doctor and patients to maintain the social distancing to avoid spread of corona virus infection. The doctor as well as patients replied that the place was quite small to maintain the same. The team then took a chalk and marked spots for standing/sitting, around 2 meters apart from each other. Everybody accepted that it was a great task done so easily; the doctor also appreciated this initiative of the team.

Event 11: Counselling of patient on continuing MDT treatment
During the visit of the Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India in Raipura Village under Sakaldiha block in Chandauli district, UP, the team met a patient who had stopped taking the MDT for the last 15 days due to some side effects. On further enquiry, the team learned, that the side effect occurred after four months of taking MDT. The team connected the patient over phone to the local health worker ASHA, she was advised this patient should be seen by doctor. She promised to visit the patient shortly and do the needful.

Event 12: Supporting People for downloading AarogyaSetu Application
In Mugalsarai market, Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh, the Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India met a group of educated people who were very keen to know how they would get the updated information on COVID-19. Thus, the team informed them about the AarogyaSetu application developed by the Government of India for automated information of being in risk zone and associated advise. The team from a distance assisted them in downloading the application in their smart phones and described the features of the application. They were not aware about the AarogyaSetu application, were very pleased to know about this useful tool.

Event 13: Awareness on special care of Old age people
In Mugalsarai market, Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh, the Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India had interacted with a number of old age people and informed them not go outside their home to perform day to day activities and also explained that old age people with weak immunity and having chorionic diseases like diabetes, High Blood pressure etc. are more vulnerable to get the corona virus infection. They were also guided that for any kind of essential commodities like medicines, food etc. they should take help from young members of the family. During this interaction, a number of them became emotional and expressed their love and blessings to the team members for their concern & caring attitude towards the old age people.

Event 14: Awareness on social distancing at grocery shop
The Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India had reached a grocery shop at Adarsh Nagar, Ranchi in Jharkhand and observed that there was no implication of social distancing norms mandated by the Government. After discussing with the shop owner and making him convinced on the need of social distancing, the team made a fencing with a rope. The customers were also very happy to follow the social distancing norms. The team also fixed some wall posters relating to COVID-19 awareness messages at the shop, within easy vision of the waiting customers. The shop owner was also requested to motivate customers to read the information given on the posters while waiting to purchase their grocery.

Event 15: Innovative method of teaching hand washing
As a part of the Covid-19 Emergency Response program, the team of NLR India had reached Jarauli village under Asothar block in Fatehpur district; Uttar Pradesh. The team came up with an innovative idea for demonstration of the hand washing technique to the villagers, it decided to use talcum powder. Talcum powder was put in hands of a few audience and requested them to rub it on hands like when soap is rubbed during handwashing. At the end of the process, the hands were checked; it was found, the powder had not reached a number of areas of hand. The audience was explained, this means when you use soap these are the places which are not cleaned and germs remain there. The audience was spell bound by the exercise. The team then demonstrated the correct method of handwashing, a number of them practiced in front of the team. The villagers expressed, today they have learnt the correct method of handwashing through a unique exercise.

Event 16: Mobilizing Government’s ration for needy person without mandatory documents
In the Berui village of Asothar block in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh, the Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India had met with a person who didn’t have the ration card &Aadhar card (identity card) too; due to this, he was not getting the ration provided by the Government; the local ration dealer had denied providing ration as he could not satisfy the mandated requirement of the Ration or Aadhar Card. To address the issue, the team members contacted the Gram Pradhan (village head) over the phone. The Gram Pradhan intervened, he spoke to the concerned official, and got permission for delivery of ration to the person; he also promised, he will support the villager in getting the Ration card and Aadhar card after the lockdown.

Event 17: Orienting shopkeeper for practicing social distancing norms
At the time of leaving Berui village under Asothar block in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh, one shopkeeper came to the Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India and asked for guidance on avoiding crowding of customers, so that he can open his shop. The team explained him the practice of social distancing and demonstrated the process of doing it to him and villagers. The team also made everyone stand with 2-meter distance from each other, and made marks on the ground. The shop was then opened as per the recent Government’s order for opening the neighborhood shops with practice of social distancing.

Event 18: Involving administration for implementing lockdown in villages
The Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India had seen some people playing cricket at three places, namely, Padya, Badur and Nakti at Chandauli block in Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh. There were approx. 50 to 60 people who were watching the game in each place. The team realized that it is a serious violation of the lockdown guidance and can lead to a crisis through spread of Covid-19. Our team decided to inform the local police. They immediately swung into action and counselled with the people. The games were stopped and the crowds dispersed. Before they dispersed, we explained them the importance of practicing the precautions for Covid-19.

Event 19: Awareness on risk & vulnerability to senior citizen
In a medical shop in Sahabganj village, Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh, the Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India had observed that people were not practicing the social distancing norms advised by the Government. The team had found a senior citizen among them who was a patient of diabetes and had come to purchase medicine for himself. The team explained to the person about his higher vulnerability to get the Covid-19 infection being a senior citizen with chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure; and guided him to maintain social distancing and masking norms. Similarly, the shop owner also advised to follow the same. We advised him not to come out of home, and request somebody else in the family or neighborhood to assist him in getting things from outside e.g. the medicines. We also requested him, to pass on this message of greater vulnerability senior citizens to Covid-19 and the need to practice the precautionary guidelines.

Event 20: Awareness on COVID-19 precautions with group of people playing cards
In Basgava village under Dhapur block, Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh, the Covid-19 Emergency Response team saw that few people were playing cards without practicing the social distancing norms of the Government. As we reached the place, all started leaving assuming they will be caught by the administration for violating the lockdown rules. The team called everyone and explained that they were not from government and not going to arrest them or penalize in any way. We discussed the topics of the COVID-19 precautions, like hand washing, wearing a mask and social distancing; and made them understand the importance of practicing the precautions. They admitted that they were doing things which were harmful to themselves; and promised they will not play cards till the lockdown period is over; and practice the precautions.

Event 21: Awareness on social distancing to the villagers
The Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India had reached Baheri village of Dhanpur block in Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh and observed a group of people standing near the hand pump for collecting water. There was no practice of social distancing norms. The team interacted with them and informed about the need to follow social distancing norms. They demonstrated how to keep a 2-meter distance from each other. Everyone openly and gladly accepted the practice of social distancing norms issued by the Government.

Event 22: Reluctance to follow the Government orders
The Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India visited Mauhaarvillage which is an industrial area under Malwan block in Fatehpur district; Uttar Pradesh. In this particular village, intrastate & interstate migrations are very common. During the discussion with villagers, the team enquired about the people who entered in the village in the last one-month of lockdown period. As per the Government directive every new entry in the locality should be informed to the local health/administrative department for covid-19 screening and further action. No one spoke out, our team felt that the people were deliberately hiding the information, the new entrees may be their own relatives of friends. Hence, the team explained them the precautions to be followed to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic and the importance to follow the Government directive which is going to be helpful for the returnees and the village as a whole.

Event 23: Motivating Gram Pradhan for sanitizing the village
In the Krishnapur hamlet of Shivrajpur village under Malwan block in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh, the Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India had discussed with the villagers on the COVID-19 precautions and had given the demonstration on wearing masks, hand washing and social distancing. During the discussion people said that the Gram Pradhan (Village head) had distributed mask to the villagers of the neighboring Shivpur village as well as sanitized the Shivrajpur village except the Krishnapur hamlet. They requested to the team members to address, if possible. Thus, the team visited the Gram Pradhan’s house and, in his absence, discussed the issue with his wife. She promised that the mask distribution and sanitization work will be done at Krishnapur soon. The people were very happy with the initiative done by the NLR India team.

Event 24: Orienting shopkeeper for practicing social distancing norms
In the Sai village under Malwan block in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradeh, the Covid-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India had given the demonstration on wearing masks, hand washing and social distancing. At that time a villager complained that the local grocery shop in the village was not practicing the social distancing norms. The team then visited the grocery shop and saw there was a good number of people standing in front of the shop without practicing the social distancing. Our team intervened, explained them the importance of practicing of social distancing and demonstrated the process to the shopkeeper and villagers. The team also guided everyone to maintain 2 meter distance from each other by making the mark on the ground with the chalk. The shop owner said that he would practice the social distancing henceforth.

Event 25: Serving all, even the Naxal dominated areas but have good number of Leprosy cases
In Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh there are a number of Naxal (group known for being violent and against the government) dominated areas and the Charanpur village under Naugarh block is one of them. The people of Charanpur village are economically very poor. The COVID-19 Emergency response team of NLR India had visited this village along with local health worker (ASHA) who avoids visiting the village because of the risk. During the interaction with the villagers, one suspected case of the Leprosy was identified. The person became symptomatic around 3 months ago, and the team requested the health worker to take further course of action relating to referral for diagnosis and treatment. One of the family members of the suspected case is already under MDT treatment.

Event 26: Helping a passerby leads to a potential new Leprosy case
The COVID-19 Emergency Response team of NLR India had visited the Chakia Village under Chakia block in district Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh. This village is on a highway, the team stopped by seeing a group of truckers taking rest. During the interaction with the truckers on COVID-19 and leprosy, one passerby overheard the conversation. He stopped and shared his wife was also suffering from some skin ailment similar to the description given by our team for leprosy. The team took his contact number and shared it with the local health worker for necessary support. The health worker then spoke to the villager on phone at the same time and recorded all the required information for further support. The team told the person that they will follow up on the same to ensure she is diagnosed and gets the treatment.