Lepra's newest referral and satellite centre in the tea gardens of Assam, continue to make good progress as the rate of screening continues to gather pace, and more new cases of leprosy and lymphatic filariasis are detected.
In late February, LEPRA Society received a letter of support from the Indian Government for the project, now in its 6th month of operation, and as the project continued through March,it reached the significant milestone of 5,000 households screened through the month. This marks a significant step in strengthening early detection and community outreach, ensuring the most vulnerable members of the population are being reached.
In partnership with Indian NGO 'Amici di Raoul Follereau' (AIFO), the team carried out a distribution of essential items to help support people affected by leprosy. Children were provided with educational kits containing useful items such as umbrellas, scales, notebooks, pencils, pens, and boxes to support their learning. Additionally, ration supplies including rice, dal, and other nutritious items were distributed to the most vulnerable members of the community, aiming to support people's daily needs and improve their overall wellbeing.
In March, 22 people were referred for diagnosis of leprosy, and notably, new cases of lymphatic filariasis were detected, including two people with lymphedema and one person with hydrocele. In addition, 28 pairs of protective footwear were issued for people with existing disabilities.
Read more about the Comprehensive Disability Care and Prevention project in Assam here.
