Bombay Leprosy Project Key Issues and
Operational Areas, Major Activiities & Achivements
Operational Districts: Mumbai
Operational States: MAHARASHTRA
AchieveMents: Bombay Leprosy Project is a Charitable Organization engaged in leprosy relief work entirely through donations for the last four decades with the objective of providing free of cost clinical care and treatment services and thereby improving the quality of life of leprosy patients. Since 1976 the organization has been working relentlessly in implementing the policies of National Leprosy Eradication Programme and assisting the Government in its endeavor.
Besides the activity related to diagnosis and treatment of patients, the Project has been carrying out Operational and Technical Research in the field of leprosy and has published over 350 scientific papers in Indian and International journals. The efforts of BLP have been highly recognized for its excellence in Leprosy research.
Over the years though the prevalence of leprosy has come down with the implementation of Multi Drug Treatment (MDT) strategy, the problem of leprosy patients with clinical problems and disability caused by nerve damage still remains a huge challenge before the nation today.
To address this issue, BLP has also been running Prevention and care of deformity (POD) care and services programme in the slums of Mumbai and also in the adjoining rural areas of Thane district to persons with leprosy related disability by providing them with aids and appliances like splints, finger loops, MCR footwear, dressing kits etc under the guidance of Physiotherapists and paramedical workers.
BLP has also been practicing Integrated Rehabilitation programme to eliminate the stigma associated with the disease and fighting for human rights of persons afflicted with leprosy and other related diseases leading to disabilities for nearly four decades.
Some of the achievementsââ¬Â¦..
Undaunted by various odds, BLP has forged ahead in its mission and goals
1.Reached 1.95 million people of which 60% are from slums of Dharavi and other similar slums in G and H wards of Mumbai
2.35,000 patients have been cured with MDT.
3.Disabilities have been prevented in more than 3000 patients.
4.300 leprosy patients and physically challenged persons have been benefitted under this programme
Our extensive studies and experience in Mumbai and adjoining rural areas from where patients travel quite a long distance to avail medical relief, clearly indicates the need for strengthening the Main Leprosy Referral Centre and satellite clinics to be equipped with experienced manpower and expertise with skills and necessary resources. These clinics are mainly integrated in the Govt Hospitals and municipal dispensaries and hospitals.
We are therefore making every effort to further strengthen the existing Referral Centre and satellite clinics as this will help to improve the quality of services and also sustain clinical services to patients affected with leprosy. The Referral Centre is thronged by leprosy patients referred not only from Mumbai but also from adjoining districts of Thane, Raigad and other places of Maharashtra.
