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German Leprosy Relief Assoication

GLRA was founded on January 18, 1957. and it was called “Leprosy Relief Association Dr. Feron” as in the beginning the founders aimed only to extend support to leprosy patients looked after by Dr. Jean Feron in Ethiopia. Already in August of the same year, the name was changed to German Leprosy Relief Association – Deutsches Aussatzigen – Hilfswerk e.V. (DAHW)”. It was in 2004 that officially TB was incorporated in the name though TB services were already part of its activities since years. GLRA is one of the leading global organizations today extending helping hand to more than 300 leprosy projects in 48 countries of the world. The activities include providing medicines, establishing projects, training centers, rehabilitation centers, providing vehicles, medicines and financial support.

The Indian operation of GLRA also commenced in 1957. Currently GLRA is involved in the following activities:

Leprosy

· Providing Support services at the District and State levels

· Extending funding assistance to 61 NGOs

· Prevention of Disability services at the District level

· IEC and advocacy through NGOs

· Socio economic rehabilitation services

· Participation in extending need based support to Govt. of India as part of ILEP

Tuberculosis:

· Promoting the participation of NGOs in the RNTCP

· Participation in “TB in Urban Slums”

· Providing support service at the District/State level to enhance case finding and case holding

· IEC at District level and through NGOs

PEOPLE FIRST IS OUR SUPREME PRIORITY

The aim of GLRA’s efforts is the medical and social healing of the individual. To realize effective and sustainable development, it is necessary to consider the social environment and the living conditions of the affected persons.

MEDICAL AND SOCIAL PROJECTS

By providing the appropriate drugs and medical care, the physical healing of the patient can be achieved. Physical rehabilitation through reconstructive surgery and physiotherapy can ease and prevent impairments.

Healing the deep wounds of stigma inflicted by the families of people affected by leprosy and their communities required intensive social and economic interventions. Therefore, GLRA puts equal emphasis on the medical and social aspect of leprosy work.

LEPROSY AND TUBERCULOSIS – DISEASES OF POVERTY WORLD-WIDE

One consequence of poverty is the proliferation of diseases such as leprosy and tuberculosis. GLRA strives to improve the living conditions of people affected by leprosy and tuberculosis. Patients suffering from these diseases receive the change for a new life in dignity!

Management and Service delivery

For operational convenience the activities of GLRA is managed through 4 Regional offices situated at Chennai, Kolkatta, Delhi and Mumbai and it is co ordinated by the Central Office at Chennai. The supported projects and programmes of GLRA in India is employing nearly 1600 committed staff which includes 133 Medical Officers and 220 supervisors and Technical staff and 431 field staff apart from the nursing, maintenance and logistics staff.