Burden of Leprosy Disabilities in Rural India

Leprosy Mailing List – March 16th, 2008

Ref.: “Burden of Leprosy Disabilities in Rural India”
From: Revankar C. R., Marol, Mumbai, India


Dear Dr. Noto,
I refer to Dr Ganapati’s LML message “Burden of Leprosy Disabilities in Rural India”; dated February 19th, 2008. This study on the disease burden in terms of physical disabilities among the people affected by leprosy in a rural population group presented by Dr. Ganapati at the ILC in Hyderabad is really useful for understanding and planning disability prevention and care activities.All of us are aware of the Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) activities initiated by the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) in India. The national programme has developed operational guidelines to practice DPMR activities at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care.
With all the reservations, leprosy diagnosis and treatment activities were integrated within primary health centre (PHC) activities after several years of vertical leprosy programme. Even though there are several lacunae/reservations, integrated leprosy programme at PHC level is showing a good progress as a sustainable strategy to reduce the disease burden further.
Similarly, let us be optimistic regarding practicing disability prevention activities by the health personnel at primary health care level after adequate training, supervision, external technical guidance and adequate logistic support. Of course, practicing DPMR activities will not be as easy as delivering MDT blister packs.
However, sound field experience gained in MDT programme would be very useful in practicing DPMR activities at various levels with the support of all interested partners.
I appreciate if Dr. Ganapati circulates his full paper which he presented. This will be useful to readers who could not listen to this important paper.
Regards,Dr. C R Revankar
Marol, Mumbai, India