181,000 persons affected by leprosy in India have loss of sensation in their hands and feet making them prone to injuries leading to impairments, disabilities and disfigurement, further leading to stigma and discrimination. 1000 persons in West Bengal will be trained in self-care, empowering them to take care of their anesthetic hands and feet resulting in ulcer healing, reducing disfigurement and stigma which will give them an opportunity to be self-reliant.
65 year old Balika says, "At night rats visit us and nibble at my feet. I do not feel anything then but wake up in a pool of blood." Persons affected by leprosy are prone to injuries in their hands and feet as they do not feel any pain when they cut or burn themselves or bump into anything, leading to ulcers and infection. If left unattended this can cause disabililty and disfigurement leading to stigma and discrimination in getting employment, education and access to essential services.
Training in self-care includes counseling, demonstration of practices and exercises so that the affected persons can take care of their anesthetic hands and feet. General Health care staff will be involved for monitoring and supervision. The objective of the project is to empower the persons affected by leprosy to become independent in carrying out routine activities and increase social participation.
By directly benefitting 1000 persons, about 5000 persons of their families will be benifitted with a larger impact on the community. This will be achieved as under: 1. Improved physical functions of hand and feet 2. Increased self esteem 3. Reduced stigma in social environment 4. Opportunities of employment and improved economic and social status of family 5. Mainstreaming in Society
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
