National Leprosy Conference on “Accelerating towards leprosy free India Through Innovative Approaches
The combat against leprosy requires a cooperative and intensive effort led by the government but supported by different stakeholders working in the field of leprosy. To portray leprosy as a candidate disease to be eliminated in India, to attract national and international attention, share best practices with national and international stakeholders and interact with people affected by leprosy, a National Leprosy Conference is being organised from 5th to 7th December 2017 at Hotel Holiday Inn, Aerocity, New Delhi. The purpose of the conference is to bring all the stakeholders together, share their experience with each other, learn from each other and recommend measures to further improve the National Leprosy Eradication Program. The conference is support of Novartis Foundation, The Nippon Foundation, ILEP, WHO, HKNS, IAE and Central Leprosy Division (CLD).
In India, trends indicate that undetected cases are there in the community and transmission of the disease is continued. The government and the ministry have reasserted their determination to push for the last mile in making Leprosy Free India.
Talking about the conference, Dr. M.A. Arif (Country Director Netherlands Leprosy Relief India (NLR India) and Organising Secretary for the conference) said, This is a unique conference that’s not an academic conference. We never wanted to have research papers here. This conference was basically to discuss public health practice and that’s why grass route level health workers people affected by leprosy, academia, international experts, were invited to discuss their experiences, issues, and challenges related to leprosy. As per our innovation program, Leprosy case detection campaign was organised in Endemic District (where the case are likely to be more), house search was conducted which lead to early detection of cases, so that disability could be prevented.
One of the Innovative process happened earlier this year (from 30th January 2017) wherein panchayati raj institutions were involved who took a pledge not to discriminate with person affected by leprosy. We continue to strive our efforts for early detection of leprosy and prevention of disability taking along the person affected by leprosy for mainstreaming them in the society, he says. This type of the conference should take place not only in metros but also in rural areas, state level etc. so that we can cut down on the cases. We want to convert the outcome of this conference into reality action, adds Dr. Arif.
The central leprosy division lead by Dr. Anil Kumar, DDG (L) under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which has taken several strong steps to bring this number down significantly, some of them being:-
· Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC) – Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC), in line with pulse polio campaign, was initiated in high endemic districts. During LCDC of 2016, which was launched in 163 districts of 20 States, population of 360 million was covered wherein till date more than 5.5 lakhs suspects identified out of which more than 34000 cases have been confirmed.
· ‘SPARSH’ Leprosy Awareness CampaignTo reduce stigma and discrimination, the SPARSH Leprosy Awareness Campaign was introduced and launched on 30th January 2017 i.e., Anti Leprosy Day, wherein nationwide Gram Sabhas were organized in cooperation and coordination with an allied sector of the health department. These Gram Sabhas were organized in approximately 3.5 lakhs villages.
· ASHA based Surveillance for Leprosy Suspects (ABSULS) wherein, ASHA will detect & report suspected leprosy cases in the community.
· Introduction of Mathematical modelling for leprosy in India. Development of Mathematical model will help in predicting future projections of leprosy cases and Grade II disability, deciding on best available intervention to achieve our objectives in a cost-effective manner.
· Formulation of web-based training portal wherein training to the doctors and paramedical staff will be imparted with the support of online power-point presentations, E-Notes, E-Modules, Question and Answers, Case studies and video-clips etc.
This is a unique conference where grassroots level health staffs will share their experience with national and international experts. All variety of implementers, persons affected by leprosy, national and international experts and support organizations will be expected to speak on the occasion. Discussions will be held to come out with relevant recommendations.
