Leprosy is an infection that affects the skin, eyes, nerves, and the mucus lining of the nose. Caused by a type of slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium Leprae, the disease is characterized by slow onset of symptoms that leaves patients with crippled and disfigured hands and feet. Long-term effects include nerve damage and blindness. Once a dreaded disease that further perpetuated untouchability, leprosy is a treatable condition with great outcomes for people still in the early stages.
Since the onset of the disease and its complications is slow, it is often ignored by people, especially those in the impoverished category who have little to no education about the condition. India recorded over 65000 leprosy cases in 2020-21 alone. However, thanks to the efforts of government programs and NGOs, more affected people get free medications and help every year. Here are some organizations working to help people with leprosy in India:
Hope Welfare Trust
Started in 2015 by a group of students, the volunteer-based NGO helps families struggling with leprosy. Spread across 150 villages in eastern Uttar Pradesh, the organization works to give hope to families and offer a holistic solution that includes rural development and women empowerment.
Navnirman Kusht Rogi Ashram
Operating out of Prayagraj, the Navnirman Kusht Rogi Ashram was founded by Durga Lal and his brother Ramesh. The NGO is a safe haven for about 1000 people suffering from leprosy and a place where they can live with dignity. The brothers arrange meals for these forgotten people along with medical care and education for the children.
Damien Foundation India Trust (DFIT)
The DFIT is the Indian chapter of a larger organization first established in Belgium. They have been instrumental in fighting Leprosy and Tuberculosis over the last few decades. The organization now covers more than 143.2 million people and works to support the government and other NGOs across the country.
Madurai Health And Leprosy Relief Centre (MAHELERECEN)
Caring for more than 550 patients, the Madurai Health And Leprosy Relief Centre is an NGO based in Madurai city, Tamil Nadu. The organization is involved in promoting health, awareness about leprosy, and treatment and rehabilitation of those disabled because of the disease.
While NGOs do their part to raise awareness, the Government of India runs the world’s largest Leprosy eradication program called the National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP). Despite the efforts, India continues to contribute to more than half of all the leprosy cases in the world.
With support from crowdfunding platforms, NGOs can better meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of families adversely impacted by the disease.
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