until No Leprosy Remains (NLR) – India
ILEP’S MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS ARE WORKING
TOGETHER FOR A WORLD FREE FROM LEPROSY
NLR India Foundation is a leading non-governmental organisation, established in 1999, committed to building an inclusive society free from leprosy, other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) with skin manifestations, tuberculosis, and disabilities. Working in close partnership with government systems and communities, NLR India focuses on improving access to quality healthcare, reducing stigma, and promoting dignity and inclusion for persons affected.
The organisation adopts an integrated approach that combines disease prevention, early detection, disability care, and rehabilitation through capacity building of health staff, involvement of the affected and engagement of the general community. It also emphasises mental wellbeing, recognising the social and psychological challenges faced by the affected persons. Through capacity building, community-based interventions and research, NLR India strengthens public health systems and ensures sustainable impact.
NLR India actively supports access to social protection schemes, enabling persons with disabilities to lead independent and dignified lives. Collaboration remains central to its work, engaging with government, national and international partners, corporate social responsibility (CSR), civil society organisations, and organisations of persons affected by leprosy, and organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDS). These collaborations support the health systems in endemic states for persons affected by leprosy and their families. NLR India also forges collaboration with an aim to ensure socio-economic rehabilitation of the stigmatised and marginalised persons.
NLR India implements its programmes and projects to support the government and community in achieving the three ‘ZEROS’ – Zero Transmission, Zero Disabilities and Zero Exclusion. The projects of NLR India are aimed towards supporting the implementation of the National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP) in early case detection, prevention of leprosy and management of disabilities through self-care. NLR India also works in the field of Disability Inclusive Development (DID), and Reduction of Stigma and Discrimination.
Our cadre of NLEP Consultant & State Programme Leads (NC&SPLs) and Community Based Rehabilitation Coordinators (CBRCs), support the government in planning, implementation, supervision and monitoring of different components of NLEP by providing technical support.
NLR India works in 57 districts of 8 states, namely, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal with one aim – until No Leprosy Remains. In Assam & Madhya Pradesh, NLR supports the state governments in strengthening Leprosy Post -exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP). NLR India also works in 43 leprosy colonies in these states. Our dedicated employees support the rehabilitation programs for persons with disabilities due to leprosy, lymphatic filariasis and other disabilities.
NLR India primarily centres its programme/project activities through the following:
- Alignment with Government of India’s Programs and Initiatives
- Awareness and Sensitisation on Leprosy
- Capacity Building and Mentoring
- Urban Leprosy Health Program
- Combined Self Care, Healthcare Camps and Home-based Self Care
- Educational, Vocational and Livelihood Support, Community Development
- Disabled friendly villages and communities by creating model villages
- Innovation/ Research e.g. chemoprophylaxis for leprosy, App for LPEP delivery, Resource directory for beneficial schemes of government for disabled people, Vikalp Helpline
- Provision of aids & appliances and specialised footwear.
Stigma reduction and gender equity are NLR India’s cross-cutting themes through which our teams empower the affected persons through:
- Self-Help groups (SHGs) and Self-Care groups (SCGs)
- Socio-psychological support and training to General Health Care (GHC) staff to further train the SCGs
- Addressing the Rights for Persons with Disabilities including women with disabilities
NLR India aspires for a country free of suffering caused by leprosy through comprehensive, sustainable and inclusive development programs encompassing prevention and cure for persons affected by leprosy. Through our values – Openness, Collaborative, Commitment, Compassion; NLR India works towards the real empowerment of persons affected by leprosy by enabling them to lead their development. Our annual budget hovers around INR 8 Cr.
