See our recommended NGOs

The Madurai Health and Leprosy Relief Centre (MAHELERECEN) is a non-governmental organization promoting voluntary health and preventive health services like general health education, leprosy awareness classes, case detection, mobile camps, and rehabilitation services for leprosy disabled. The NGO has been serving the slum and rural population of Madurai since 1991 when it was set up to eradicate leprosy and treat the affected by rendering clinical support.

Some of their activities are as follows:

• Health awareness: This program is conducted for school going children, industrial workers, and for the general public regarding general health, hygiene, safe drinking water, infectious diseases such as TB, HIV/AIDS and facts about leprosy with scientific factors and other. Education is imparted through lectures with the help of education materials, DVDs, pamphlets, flash cards, slide shows, etc. In FY16, the NGO conducted 151 health awareness programs and reached out to over 20,000 school students.
• Skin Checkup and Case Detection: The organization conducts skin checkups for primary school students every year to prevent the occurrence of deformity. In FY16, skin checkup was conducted in 60 schools for 5,920 students.
• Treatment: Chemotherapy treatment (MDP) is provided every month to patients in whom leprosy is newly detected. The aim is to prevent deformity through early detection and prevention. Patients are also given wax baths, oil massages & physiotherapy treatment.
• Mobile Camps: The Mobile Medical Clinics (MMC), started in 1991, aims to provide medical care for leprosy affected in rural and urban areas of Madurai. Under this program, a monthly follow-up is done based on the needs of patient health. 5 mobile clinics visit 38 locations across 6 blocks in 32 villages treating 165 leprosy deformed patients every month.
• Rehabilitation: The NGO conducts Socio- Economic Rehabilitation Program where beneficiaries receive financial support & are encouraged to participate in income generating activities. The aim is to reduce the number of leprosy affected beggars.