Leprosy Relief

GRETNALTES has participated in National Leprosy Elimination Programme by covering a population of 3 Million in 3 important districts of Andhra Pradesh namely, Guntur, Khammam and Rangareddy.

INDIA is rich in culture and religion. People here believe in Karma. They leave everything to Fate. They are satisfied with whatever comes to them in the name of Karma. In the same way, they believe that diseases are the result of their bad deeds in the previous life.

The WHO - World Health Organization defines Leprosy as a chronic but least infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium Leprae, an acid-fast, rod shaped bacillus. The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and also the eyes, apart from some other structures like the extremities of hands and legs.

The founder of the organization is self-experienced with all ailments including flexion deformities, drop foot, Lagophthalmos etc. in Leprosy. In utter despair and deep distress, he abandoned his family. On his way to the Himalayas where he wanted to spend his rest of life, he chanced to approach Danish Save The Children Organization at Pogiri in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh. Fortunately the treatment consisting of only mono therapy of DDS, yielded miraculous good results on him and healed all his ailments. In course of treatment, deformities were also corrected by surgery. Since then, persons suffering from the disease started to come to him for advice regarding treatment. The flow of the affected persons made him take a decision to dedicate the rest of his life fully for Leprosy service. Gradually, the Vision grew wider. He is encouraged with the support of great persons like Sri Alapati Dharmarao and Sri Neti Parasurama Sharma.

Sri Alapati Dharma Rao is famous for simple living and high thinking based on the Doctrine of Gandhism. He is a moral politician, active social worker and dynamic in character. Though he became the Home Minister of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, he never ignored the importance of Human Service. Sri Neti Parasurama Sarma is a veteran social worker and Executive Member who has taken much initiative in Leprosy Service and in forming its Society. Thus, GRETNALTES was constituted with social workers and registered as a society in the year 1981. Since then, Mr. Rao has been shouldering the responsibility of GRETNALTES till recently.

Disability Prevention and Education in Leprosy - DISPEL

The treatment to Leprosy became very easy after the introduction of Multi Drug Therapy - MDT. But the deformities occurred due to Leprosy are permanent. It is almost important to deal with the old and chronic disabled patients. This is also known as 'Care after Cure'. These old and chronic patients should be paid much attention in order to correct their deformities viz. Healing of Ulcers, Surgical corrections to the hands, feet and eyes, supply of dressing materials, required medicines and most importantly the supply of Micro Cellular Rubber footwear (most essential need of the Leprosy Affected Person in order to protect anaesthetic feet). To cater to the needs of these patients at the Primary Health Centre Level, a special field programme is derived in the name of DISPEL. It continued up to June 2009. The need for such a project is still there as people affected by Leprosy are awaiting great help. The Programme was started as a pilot in Guntur, Khammam and Rangareddy Districts of Andhra Pradesh.

POID

After a decade of tremendous service, the DISPEL changed its phase to POID - Prevention of Impairments and Disabilities due to Leprosy in the year 2010. This programme aims towards self-care for the disabilities of persons affected with Leprosy. Two mobile action teams and a base team take care of the persons affected with Leprosy by way of providing extensive self-care education and counseling. Each team consists of a Physio-Technician and a Counselor.

The Expected Results are:

• Disability Grade 0 cases among new cases must remain at Grade 0.
• Disability Grade 1 cases among the new cases must remain at Grade 1 level or improve towards Grade 0.
• The number of Disability Grade 2 cases among new cases must be reduced.
• The ulcer development among old cases must be reduced proportionately.

According to WHO (World Health Organization):

• Grade 0: No visible deformities.
• Grade 1: No visible deformities but sensory loss in hands and/or feet.
• Grade 2: Visible deformities.
• Old cases: Persons affected with Leprosy with already existing disabilities either of Grade 1 or Grade 2.

Referral Hospital for the Persons Affected with Leprosy

GRETNALTES started a referral hospital in the year 1984 in Morampudi in order to offer clinical Leprosy Services to the Persons Affected with Leprosy. In the referral hospital both in-patient and out-patient clinical services are available. The severe complications of the Persons affected with Leprosy viz. Ulcers, Reactions, Physiotherapy and other general complications are taken care of. This referral Hospital is the only available specialized leprosy Hospital in 3 districts (Guntur, Prakasam and Krishna). It is recognized by the Central Leprosy Division – Government of India. The referral hospital has provided 400,000 inpatient services and 700,000 outpatient services.

Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation - DPMR

This is a new programme initiated by the Government of India. Under this programme the main focus is on Reconstructive Surgeries (RCS). GRETNALTES started its own RCS centre in the last quarter of 2007. It has performed 1008 surgeries.