Organisation: Lepra

Report: September 2021

Lepra is excited to update you on the progress that has been made with the Catriona Hargreaves Charitable Trust (CHCT) project activities this September. CHCT made a donation of £3000 towards this work.

Our state coordinator of Andhra Pradesh updated us on the current status of the project and ongoing activities that took place for active case finding, disability prevention, and information dissemination. This month, almost 5000 pamphlets were printed for the dissemination of information. The areas for conducting Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) surveys, and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) mobile van initiatives were also identified. During these trying times of the pandemic, Lepra Society was able to identify 5 more volunteers from the community and trained them on Leprosy. Besides, Lepra Society is making sure that the relevant stakeholder like State Leprosy Officer is well-informed of our current activities, and we submitted a letter of request to him for smoothly conducting surveys in our desired areas. Lepra staff and the ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) trained in this project are strictly adhering to social distancing rules while conducting surveys, providing information, and raising awareness in the densely populated areas of Ramaraja Nagar, Ranigari Thota, Bupesh Gupta Nagar, Tarakarama Nagar. In particular, this mobile van has been effectively raising awareness about how to contact Lepra immediately if the people spot any apparent signs and symptoms of Leprosy, as it has been difficult for many people to seek medical help for any non-COVID diseases during the pandemic.

The following are the major accomplishments during the month of September:

Survey Activities:

The Rapid Enquiry Survey was conducted in 4 areas (Ramaraja Nagar, Ranigari Thota, Bupesh Gupta Nagar, Tarakarama Nagar) with 5 new volunteers in September 2021. A total of 2540 Households were covered during the survey. Around 8570 people were enumerated and 6591 were examined in this process. Out of 45 identified cases, 1 multibacillary (MB) case was reported and kept under multi-drug therapy (MDT) at a local level Urban Health Center.

Mobile IEC Van Awareness Generation:

Almost 981 Pamphlets were distributed with the support of the IEC Mobile van before the survey activities took place.

Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation Services:

These services were carried out in 4 camps in the Krishna District and reached around 49 Leprosy-affected people with DPMR services. Counselling, health education, and ulcer care were provided. Self-care kits were provided in the camp to all the 49 people with Grade 1 and Grade II disabilities. 23 customized micro-cellular rubber (MCR) Footwears were issued. The Physio aids were provided to 16 attendees (goggles, crepe bandages, and splints).

Highlighted Activities in September 2021

1. Initiation of training for ASHA workers (frontline workers)
2. Livelihood support for 5 leprosy-affected people
3. Survey activities – 4 areas
4. DPMR activities – 4 areas