The Leprosy Mission Trust India

The Leprosy Mission Trust India (TLMTI) is India’s largest non-governmental organization working with, and for people, affected by leprosy.  The main goal is to address the physical, mental, social and spiritual needs of individuals and communities affected by leprosy thereby working to eradicate leprosy and support those in need.

Leprosy is one of the most misunderstood diseases. Throughout human history, leprosy is feared; a whole host of myths and misconceptions surround the disease since time immemorial. Even after discovering the germ that causes the disease, leprosy patients are stigmatised and shunned. They are disparagingly called ‘lepers’ and many of them are forced to live as outcasts in ‘leprosy colonies’.

Major Interventions:

Through its community outreach initiatives, TLMTI engages with and educates rural communities on matters of health, and provides them health check-ups and medical care. Its Health programme is implemented through a network of 15 hospitals spread across 09 states of India. Because of the varied manifestations of leprosy, TLMTI, in dealing with the various problems of the disease, has acquired experience and skills in various medical and surgical disciplines. Some of them are reconstructive surgery, general medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, disability prevention and management, disability in other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), obstetrics and gynaecology, etc.

All TLMTI hospitals are recognised by the Government of India as tertiary leprosy referral hospitals, providing specialised services in leprosy, including the provision of multidrug therapy; management of lepra reactions and neuritis; ulcer care; care of insensitive hands and feet; correction of deformities and reconstructive surgery; occupational and physiotherapy; aids and appliances, such as splints, orthosis and prosthesis; counselling; training in the prevention of further disability; treatment of eye problems; and general healthcare. Every hospital has trained counsellors to help patients, their families, and communities in understanding and accepting the disease and those affected by it. Counsellors also provide career guidance to young boys and girls with disabilities for vocational training and job opportunities.

The Community Empowerment programme works with persons and communities marginalised due to leprosy, disability, gender, and poverty. It aims to bring their economic development and social inclusion through activities, such as awareness-raising on health, human rights, and social issues; and skills building for sustainable livelihood. The NGO addresses the development needs through a rights-based approach. It builds the capacity of people affected in forming and managing people’s organisations for collective action thereby engaging with government agencies for creating an enabling policy and legislative environment for people affected by leprosy to live as equal citizens of the country.

Research and Training through the multidisciplinary and multicentre research are carried out in the laboratory, hospitals and the field, TLMTI generates evidence-based knowledge in immunology, molecular biology, clinical, social and operational aspects of leprosy to eradicate the cause and consequences of leprosy.