The Leprosy Mission Nepal

Heal Nepal will improve health, dignity and wellbeing of 2,136 people affected by leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF) from 11 highly endemic districts in southern Nepal. It will support 1349 Government community health volunteers to use highly effective methods to identify, diagnose, treat and manage leprosy and LF and complications and prevent disability. It will support 1,379,657 community members to develop less discriminating attitudes towards leprosy and LF, and higher tolerance for patients receiving treatment, through a thought-provoking awareness campaign. People at risk of infection will access early diagnosis and preventive prophylaxis. The project will support managing leprosy and LF complications and prevent stigmatising and irreversible disabilities using highly effective clinical innovations. It will create safe spaces for patients to explore inner strengths, improve self-image and wellbeing, and advocate for rights.

1. Unemployed disabled people aged 18-45 years with academic qualifications 2. Unemployed disabled people aged 18-45 years with vocational qualifications 3. Unemployed disabled people aged 18-45 years with no qualifications 4. Those aged 18-60 who are currently carers for unemployed disabled people.

The Project will increase the preparedness of Anandaban Hospital to deliver critical COVID-19 care to patients experiencing COVID-19 complications including vulnerable individuals including people affected by leprosy and disabilities and to protect the most vulnerable and health workers from infection. The project will do this by training all staff in COVID-19 response including testing, treating, and managing cases; opening an isolation ward aimed to treat critical patients using ventilators and respirators; providing counselling sessions for both staff and patients struggling with their experience of COVID-19; sharing awareness-raising messages about how to keep safe during the pandemic; and by distributing food and sanitation packages amongst households in the local community.