LEPRA Society

Introduction
Tuberculosis
Operational Research

Introduction

UMEED*

“UMEED ”- hope to harness the energy of urban poor to improve their health especially those affected by leprosy, TB and HIV. “UMEED” is an Urdu word meaning ‘hope’

Background

UMEED project is located at Hyderabad, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh with an urban population of 6 million people approximately. Umeed the first direct project of LEPRA Society, established in the year 1989 was primarily working in the leprosy control activities till 2007.

Since January 2008, Umeed and another project of LEPRA Society DLRC at Hyderabad are functioning as Referral Centres. Umeed covers the population of Hyderabad District and DLRC caters to clients coming from Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda, Mahaboobnagar, Medak and Warangal districts. Although the prevalence of leprosy is low, about……people need medical and social care.

The emphasis is now to prevent disabilities by provision of protective aids and appliances, physiotherapy, self-care practices, complication care management, provision for MCR footwear, Diabetes detection etc

Umeed has taken up four leprosy colonies, Council of Hansen’s Social Welfare, Shanthi nagar, Santosh nagar colony and Sanjaya Gandhi nagar. The POD clinics are managed by the person identified from the colonies itself. They have been trained on ulcer dressing, counselling the clients on self care practices and simple exercises to prevent deformities. The clinic functions every day for the inmates of the colony to avail facilities at the clinic. Those who find it difficulty in mobility, the worker visits the patients house and provide the services. The Doctor from the project visits the clinic once in a week.

Umeed project coverage:

S.No.	Coverage area	Population	Blocks\Waard
1	Hyderabad & R.R District	21,79,540	26 UHPs in 20 blocks
2	Dhoolpet area	2,50,000	2 wards
3	Leprosy Colonies	7, 031	4 colonies

Leprosy activity since 1986 to 2007

Cumulative data	SSL	PB	MB	Total
Cases Registered since project started	5	11439	2296	13740
Cases cured (RFT & RFC)	5	9514	1940	11459
Total deletion (Including RFT & RFC)	5	11423	2259	13689
Cases on record as on 31st Dec 2007	-	15	38	53

Tuberculosis

In 2002 the Government recognized Umeed as a potential partner for working with them in Revised National Tuberculosis Control program because the project had long experience of working in stigmatized disease like leprosy. With the collaboration of the TB control society the project also manages five designated microscopy centres promoting quality diagnosis and treatment. Involvement of ‘private medical practitioners’ in RNTCP strengthened the program. They participated not only in referrals but also in DOTs treatment.

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Tuberculosis: Umeed established 5 Microscopy centres in Hyderabad Urban under RNTCP since April 2002.

Particulars	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Examinations (sputum)	671	1358	1979	2595	2621	2936
Total Positives	98	224	360	419	391	455
New positives	78	182	307	379	292	379
No. put on DOTS (Positives)	88	182	332	380	324	378
Total New cases registered	166	423	688	921	731	811
CAT 1	83	221	369	467	395	407
CAT 2	18	43	66	85	118	123
CAT 3	65	159	253	369	218	281
	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Sputum conversation	90%	90%	95%	96%	92%	96%
Cure rate	-	87%	93%	96%	90%	93%

Awards/ Recognitions

•	LEPRA Society Received Best NGO Award from State Government of Andhra Pradesh for the excellent work in Leprosy in Hyderabad District for the year 2003.
•	Received best DOT provider award for Hyderabad District from CM - 2007
•	Received best patient award for compliance from CM -2007
•	Retrospective Analysis of ENL cases treated in the Urban Leprosy Project at Hyderabad, received best poster presentation in INTERNATIONAL LEPRSOY CONGRESS – 2008

Visit of SBI Ladies’ Club

The members of the State Bank of India ladies club visited Umeed. The visitors provided support to children of leprosy affected, for providing books and school uniforms

More....

Operational Research

	Epidemiological Indicators of Leprosy Year PR NCDR 1991 14.1 13.4 1994 7.2 7.2 1997 4.2 2.7 2000 2.5 3.5 2003 0.7 1.0 2004 0.47 0.86 2005 0.38 0.61 2006 0.25 0.33 2007 0.27 0.36
Map – HYLEP activities in Hyderabad

Operational Research

Encouraged public private partnership for effective management of HIV /AIDS, TB and HIV/TB co infection in collaboration with MAAS (Maharasthra Association of Anthropological Sciences).

The various activities include:

Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment.
Malaria: Blood smear for malaria parasite
Referrals, Awareness programs in Vector Control and
Personal protection methods.
Leprosy: early case detection and treatment
Prevention of Disabilities and worsening of disabilities services
Rehabilitation activities
Foot wear Unit
Voluntary confidential Counseling and testing centre
Sexually transmitted, Opportunistic Infection and support clinic
Daily Out Patient Services for Leprosy Tuberculosis
Physiotherapy for Leprosy and General
Eye Care unit : For Leprosy Affected and General
Networking
Information Education and Communication
Organizing Health Camps in the community.
Organizing special campaigns during the spread of diseases or during the conduction of special National /State

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.