Advocacy success at Mind to Heart

29 September 2026

Lepra Bangladesh’s Mind to Heart Project, established in 2023, focuses on supporting the mental health of people affected by leprosy. Funded by the Sasakawa Health Foundation, the project is run in partnership with the community-based organisation – the Bogura Federation.

According to a mental health and NTD study published in Leprosy Review, one-in-two people diagnosed with leprosy experiences depression and/or anxiety. Mind to Heart demonstrates that no single intervention can address poor mental health. Instead, a range of approaches is needed to support the interconnected emotional, social, financial, and physical health of people affected by leprosy. 

Advocacy for people affected also remains a crucial element of support, which is helping the most vulnerable members of society overcome the social and financial challenges of a leprosy diagnosis. Thanks to the project’s advocacy meetings held with local government, throughout April-August 2026, people affected by leprosy are now able to access important benefits and more comprehensive health services:

• 32 people affected by leprosy received support from health complexes, including treatment for ulcer care.
• Through the Department of Social Services, support was provided to people affected by leprosy to apply for disability cards.
• Through the Department of Women’s Affairs, three vulnerable women received Vulnerable Women Benefit support, including 30kg of rice per month.
• Two family members of people affected by leprosy received maternity allowances of BDT 850 per month for three years.
• Seven people affected by leprosy received 30kg of rice per month at a subsidised price of BDT 15 per kg.
• During Eid, 24 people affected by leprosy received BDT 500 each from the Upazila Administration.

These achievements demonstrate the value of continued advocacy and collaboration with government departments in improving access to social protection, healthcare, food security, and emergency support for people affected by leprosy and their families. In addition to the practical benefits people are receiving, advocacy is helping to address many of the systemic and social barriers people face following a diagnosis.