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(2) Dr. S.J. Michael, American Leprosy Mission, India
WRITEUP ON THE INVOLVEMENT OF AMERICAN LEPROSY MISSIONS IN INDIAN NLEP
INTRODUCTION
American Leprosy Missions (ALM) was founded in 1906 as the American office of The Leprosy Mission International (TLMI) in the UK. ALM became an independent American organization in subsequent years but sustained its close working relationship with TLMI, particularly in its support of leprosy work in India. In those days, health workers could do little more than provide clean bandages, a safe haven, and Christian love.
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For decades, ALM supported specialized leprosy hospitals, missions, and government leprosy campaigns. This 'top-down" model has been replaced for the most part by a model of "integrated care" in which leprosy services are provided in general health centers by general health workers.
During the early 1980s, ALM became one of the first agencies to use the new multidrug therapy (MDT) in its projects to cure leprosy.
ALM currently supports about 100 government and non-government projects in 20 countries. Services include the detection, treatment, and care of people with active leprosy, the management and prevention of impairment and disability in people affected by leprosy, and socio-economic-spiritual assistance to people affected by leprosy. These services are provided in both institutional and community settings.
When American Leprosy Missions started its involvement in India in 1906, it started with sharing of costs in running leprosy related activities with The Leprosy Mission India.
MAlN CONCERNS & INTERESTS OF THE ORGANIZATION
More recently, ALM has been a strong advocate of a wholistic approach, a community-based approach to the treatment and care of people affected by leprosy. Under this integrated approach, the "whole person" is assisted medically, socially, economically, and spiritually.
CURRENT INVOLVEMENT IN INDIA
a) With Government of India through its support to NLEP in Chhattisgarh.
b) Through its support to NGOs in the States of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Assam.
ALM has been involved in providing training, support in case finding and diagnosis, Physical and Vocational rehabilitation, Prevention of Impairment and Disability, community development, housing for leprosy affected people, research, to mention a few.
In October 2000 ALM launched the "Madhya Pradesh Rescue Campaign". After the formation of Chhattisgarh which is one of the states with high endemicity ALM has accepted the complete financial liability for all the 16 districts of Chhattisgarh.
In keeping with the NLEP guidelines of GOI, ALM is supporting 7 DTSTs Supervised by a state Level Coordinator also supported by ALM, in the state of Chhattisgarh
To strengthen its involvement in the Indian NLEP, ALM appointed a National Representation in November 2000.
To deepen its commitment to Prevention of Impairment and Deformity in Leprosy affected people, ALM has appointed a POID Consultant.
In keeping with its long-term vision of improving the quality of life in leprosy affected people ALM has now appointed a National Coordinator for its community-based programs.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CHHATTISGHAR
Chhattisgarh is a new state carved out of the state of Madhya Pradesh in August 2000. It is formed of 16 Districts with an excess of more than 2 crore population. Chhattisgarh is one of the high endemic states in the country. About 7 of the 16 Districts in the state are predominantly tribal.
The participation of American Leprosy Missions in National Leprosy Eradication Program in the state of Chhattisgarh is through the 7 District Technical Support teams(DTSTs) which it totally funds. These 7 DTSTs are supervised by a state coordinator who is also financially supported by the American Leprosy Missions.
The Organizational structure is:
| The Leprosy Mission |
| ↓ |
| Honorary Superintendent |
| ↓ |
| State Coordinator |
| ↓ |
| 7 District Technical support teams |
The responsibility of Dist. Technical Support Teams in Chhattisgarh are:
･ Training and Man Power Development
･ IEC activities
･ Conducting Skin Disease Diagnosing Camps
･ Conducting POID Camps
･ Distribution of MCR foot wear
･ Participating in Survey of Various Types
･ Participating in SAPLE, MLEC, LEM activities
1. Man power Development
| a) |
Training of General Health Service Staff: |
|
|
| |
No. of training camps |
- |
39 |
| |
No. of persons trained |
- |
3504 |
| b) |
No. of NLEP Staff given POID training |
- |
477 |
2. IEC Activities:
| a) |
Distribution of Photo folders |
- |
3242000 |
| b) |
Performance by Tribal & Folk troops |
|
|
| |
(Shows like puppets, Drama, Dance etc) |
|
|
| |
No, of programs conducted |
- |
2220 |
3. POID Camps:
| a) |
No. of Camps Organized |
- |
45 |
| |
No. of Patients attended |
- |
1113 |
| b) |
MCR Foot wear distribution: |
|
|
| |
No. of pairs of MCR Foot wear distributed |
- |
2017 pairs |
4. Skin Disease diagnostic camps & POID Camps:
| No. of Camps organized |
- |
363 |
| No. of people attended |
- |
30235 |
| No. of cases detected and Registered |
- |
523 |
5. Participation in surveys:
| a) |
School survey conducted: |
|
|
| |
No. of people examined |
- |
34163 |
| |
No. of cases detected and registered |
- |
55 |
| b) |
Healthy contact survey: |
|
|
| |
No. of people examined |
- |
2988 |
| |
No. of cases detected and registered |
- |
28 |
| c) |
Random survey: |
|
|
| |
No. of people examined |
- |
72695 |
| |
No. of cases detected and registered |
- |
78 |
(Source: Chhattisgarh Profile and Progress Report- March 2002)
Apart from this they also provide support in the field through DDP:
･ Clinical examination with nerve assessment
･ Classification
･ Drug Distribution
･ Health Education
･ Deformity care
･ HOPE and demonstration of exercises
･ Field training
･ Charting
･ Group meeting
･ Supervision and Monitoring for:
Regularity
Drug Compliance
Defaulter action and revival
Collection of data of participation in
Dist. Meetings and turning in of project reports.
OTHER LEPROSY RELATED ACTIVITIES IN INDIA
ALM's other leprosy related activities include Networking with other NGOs who are actively involved in the Leprosy field.
a) Habitat For Humanity to provide houses to Leprosy affected people
b) Prison fellowship to diagnose, treat and provide wholistic support to prison inmates affected by Leprosy and giving support to their families.
c) Research in Leprosy.
d) Heifer Project International
OTHER INVOLVEMENTS
ALM is involved in the research and treatment of Buruli Ulcers in Ivory Coast and in Ghana. One of the ALM experts is the head of :
TALMILEP involved in research, write up and distribution of training material Temporary Expert group on Training.
ALM'S CONTACT IN INDIA
Dr. Samuel Joseph Michael - ALM India Representative.
Office Address: No 62, 3rd Main, Amarjothi layout, R.T.Nagar Post,
Cholanagar, Bangalore - 560 032.
Office Phone No: 080 3437177
Fax : 080 3437177
e-mail : michaelsj@vsnl.net
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