Can the current health delivery system in India manage the leprosy burden?

Leprosy Mailing List – November 22^nd, 2009

Ref.: Can the current health delivery system in India manage the leprosy burden?

From: R Ganapati, Mumbai, India

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Dear Dr Noto,

The important role the unique internet medium initiated by you for stimulating the thinking of several experts genuinely concerned about the so-called “rare and neglected disease” of leprosy is exemplified by the prompt response received in respect of the LML of 8^th November 2009 on the above subject. Besides the response from Dr B. Vijayakrishnan, India Representative, Fontilles which you have published (LML dated 16^th November), I have received personal letters from Drs Grace Warren, David Scollard and P K Das.

Dr Vijayakrishnan in stressing the role of NGOs, has wondered “if BLP (Bombay Leprosy Project) clinics were not existing what would have happened?” This was the point which precisely was raised by me during an interesting debate which followed my presentation at the New Delhi. Conference of the Indian Association of Leprologists. There was no answer when I raised the point of how BLP’s specialized services offered in its clinics which were financed partly by one of the ILEP agencies recently received a set back due to abrupt withdrawal of funds. We, as an NGO are forced to run the clinics as well as a vast rural disability care program through donations raised with difficulty from a few individuals. Most donors are made to believe that leprosy is finished thanks to WHO ‘s policies and the efforts of the government.

Dr Vijayakrishnan has also hinted that patients may form their own groups for “advocacy” presumably to fight for their rights. Though this is desirable, stigma associated with leprosy and lack of awareness about their human rights by the poor patients are factors which may render this proposition difficult.

With kind regards,

Dr R Ganapati

Director Emeritus, BLP