LEPRA Society

Introduction
Activities

Introduction

The District Technical Support Team (DTST) supported by the ILEP agencies was set up in 2001. The objective was to support the government to evolve a strategy for the elimination of leprosy in the districts; …. This state also had seven DTST teams to look after 13 districts of the state.

The government constituted a reporting system called Simplified Information System (SIS) in the Primary Health Centres and building the capacity of Medical Officers in diagnostic skills. The GH staff, posted in peripheral level were sensitised about signs and symptoms of leprosy so that along with their routine visits to the area allotted to them, they detected cases having symptoms of leprosy and referred them to PHC for diagnosis and treatment.

DTST now TRU

Since the PHCs also started working for leprosy programme and the reporting system was streamlined, the ILEP agencies withdrew all the teams in…..and formed only one team at State Headquarters and re-named as Technical Resource Unit (TRU).
The unit consisted of one State Coordinator and One Technical Officer stationed at Indore. The modified TRU shall oversee activities in leprosy work in the entire state as against only a few districts as in DTST project.
The TRU in consultation with the State Leprosy Officer identified areas where support of TRU is required.

Project Area

Promotion of early case detection and prompt MDT; b) Capacity Building; c) IEC & Advocacy and; d) POID.
Special awareness campaigns were started in un-approachable and un-reached areas through the project IEC van. Intensive IEC activities were carried out in the selected pockets to encourage voluntary reporting.

During validation contact examination of a MB case (Lepromatous), Mr. Than Singh and 3 other members of his family were found to be affected by leprosy.

Patients were treated for management of reactions in the all the districts, thus preventing many leprosy affected persons from deformity.

A workshop was organised for cost-effective IEC plan for the state. IEC vans are designed with basic information on leprosy, TB and HIV/AIDS to raise awareness, improve knowledge and to make people aware of the problems and the methods of prevention.

A new concept of organizing 2 days POD camp was developed and demonstrated to the districts so that its effect becomes long lasting. In this POD camps more stress was given to the selection of cases for the camp and also the GH staff. The special feature of this camp was that the cured person was the facilitator/trainer in these camps in place of the leprosy staff (POD).The physiotherapy being the most important component for the success of corrective surgeries in leprosy, the TRU took training of physiotherapists as the first step in RCS. Training of all the PTs of the state was arranged. As a result cases for RCS started coming to the surgical centre at Sanawad from all the corners of the state. Even from the districts outside the state. This training also facilitated a regular pre- & post-operative screening camp in every district of the district.

Border Meetings were organized for the first time in the State which was initiated by the TRU. The objective of Border meeting was to exchange information, break the border barrier in providing free leprosy service also to establish inter-state referral system. As a result of border meeting 14 cases got operated for RCS from Maharastra State.

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Activities

- Leprosy – Referral Center

The Project supports Leprosy integration in 31 Primary Health Centers (PHC). 1053 new leprosy cases were diagnosed, provided Multi Drug Therapy with the collaboration of PHCs.

Under the Prevention of Disability Programme, 739 disability patients, 629 Family members, 260 Volunteers and 298 Private Health Providers were trained at disability training camps. 47 Reactions and 96 Neuritis were treated with steroids and cured.

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- Tuberculosis – Microscopic Centers

The Project established 2 TB Microscopy Centres in Vijayawada. 66 children were treated with INH Prophylaxis. 135 HIV-TB co infection cases reported.

In rural areas 31 PHCs are supporting 15 Microscopy Centre in the project. There are 312 Volunteers, 194 Group leaders, 48 Private Health Providers and 8 NGOs working as DOTS Providers after getting trained by the Project.

- HIV – Mobile Clinic

In addition to the awareness campaigns, the project implemented medical services in remote and inaccessible villages to treat the vulnerable population.134 Health camps were organised for the benefit of the old people, women and children. The general health problems like body pains, allergy, gastritis, Anemia, STI’s, Eye complications, Diabetes, were also addressed and provided primary care and referred to specialists. At the same time TB Chest Symptomatic, HIV, leprosy and Malaria suspects referred for diagnosis.

The Project “Health Camps” also proposed a Mobile Health Clinic in the district. The vulnerable group like old people, women, adolescent girls, ANCs and children could avail of medical services and they were made aware of public health care needs and priorities in the remote villages.

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Supportive programme:

S.No.	Activity		benefitted
1	Nutrition supplement
	A	ATMIT Powder	101
	B	Ration support	50
2	New born baby kit		150
3	Summer camp		35
4	Children’s day celebrations		40
5	Picnic		35
5	Education support		109
	Rehabilitation		4

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Cheyutha promoted leadership and initiative of the People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) to take up activities to enable them to address the various needs, especially psycho-social and rehabilitative support. The group proved capable enough to successfully handle responsibilities entrusted to them by Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society, including PPTCTC plus project.

One of the important activities this year was the formation of district wise network to be affiliated to state-wide and nation-wide networks.

Cheyutha in Bhongir of Nalgonda district also got strengthened. India HIV/AIDS Alliance, Delhi, channelised DFID Challenge Fund projects in Hyderabad, Bhongir, Kamareddy and Bhubaneswar sites, which envisages PLHA leadership in community-led sexual health and HIV awareness programmes leading to better acceptability of PLHA in the community. Cheyutha has also taken up rights-based issues including institutional discrimination, property and inheritance rights etc. These issues will be further pursued along with rehabilitation, child support and other welfare activities. In 2007, Bhongir and Kamareddy sites will be given priority, while achievements at Hyderabad will be further consolidated.