Madurai Health and Leprosy Relief Centre (MAHELERECEN)

 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 program: This program was conducted for school going children, industrial workers, and also for the public regarding general health, hygiene, safe drinking water and facts about leprosy with scientific factors and other infectious diseases such as TB, HIV/AIDS. The NGO conducted 35 leprosy awareness programs during the year and reached out to 8,312 school students. Mobile Camps enables monthly follow-up is done based on the need of patient health. The medical team covers 5 blocks every year. Number of mobile camps conducted during the year was 51.
• Skin Checkup and Case Detection: The organization conducts skin checkups for school students every year to prevent the occurrence of deformity. Number of schools who benefitted through skin check-up was 35, and number of school students who benefitted from this program was 5,209.
• Rehabilitation:  Socio- Economic Rehabilitation Program was conducted for the cured and disabled where beneficiaries received financial support. Through this activity beneficiaries participated in income generating activities like bread business.
• Advocacy: The NGO has put in efforts to train community members to fight against leprosy, they have begun various social media campaigns, and also have collaborated with village authorities, local and international organizations.