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International Federation of Anti Leprosy Associations

Netherlands Leprosy Relief

About NLR

Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR) is a non-political, non-religious and non profit making developmental organization with its head quarter at Amsterdam, The Netherlands. NLR is supporting the cause of leprosy in 19 countries of the world. NLR is a member of International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP), and is also supporting National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP) of India at Central, State and District level.

Brief History

NLR’s involvement in India started from Bihar in 1993 with other ILEP organizations. This support was extended to Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand States in the year 1998, to Delhi State in the year 1999, to Jharkhand in the year 2000 and to West Bengal in the year 2001. NLR established its branch office, in India, in the year 2000, at New Delhi. Simultaneously NLR foundation was also established as a trust, which got its FCRA clearance in the year 2004

Support to NLEP

Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR) provides support to National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) of India to strengthen sustainable Leprosy services. This support is in accordance with the policies and guidelines of Ministry of Health, Govt. of India (GOI) and is guided by thematic areas of support as per the MOU signed between ILEP and GOI. NLR support includes:

- Technical advice, to carry out leprosy control and rehabilitation activities at National, State and District levels.

- Resources, like finance, learning materials, equipments and expertise.

Strategy adopted

NLR follows the principles of advising the Central, State and District authorities and not involving themselves in the implementation of activities. Strategy adopted is transferring the skills, through classroom and on the job trainings, guiding and coaching the State and district level functionaries to improve their skills in management of leprosy, management of the programme and care after cure of Persons Affected by Leprosy.

Field of expertise

NLR offers expertise in Public Health with capacity building and organizational development to improve leprosy services in India. This includes systematic supportive supervision at district level in conjunction with district staff, support to rehabilitation in the form of supporting Self Care Groups. NLR is also involved in organizing and supporting workshops on different subjects e.g. clinical leprosy, management aspects of the programme, strategic planning, monitoring and supervision etc.

How the support is provided?

The support to district level functionaries i.e. District Nucleus is provided through placement of Leprosy Programme Advisors (LPAs) at the State and Regional level. These LPAs are experienced senior level medical officers with long standing experience of working in leprosy programme. At the National level, Country Representative, Coordinator Projects and Self Care Group Coordinator are supporting the National level activities and supervising NLR projects in India. To add to the pool of experts, Senior Medical Advisors are also invited from the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, for technical advice and guidance.

States supported with staff positions:

Bihar: 1 Leprosy Programme Advisor (LPA) is placed to support District nucleus of 5 out of 38 districts of Bihar and 1 senior NMS is placed to support Self Care Groups (SCG).

Jharkhand: 3 LPAs are placed to cover 16 out of 24 districts and 1 senior NMS is placed to support SCGs.

Delhi: 2 LPAs are placed to support 6 districts out of 9.

UP: 5 LPAs are placed at regional level to cover 34 out of 70 districts and 1 senior NMS is placed to support SCGs

Uttarakhand: All the 13 districts are supported by 1 State level Leprosy Programme Advisor and two regional level NMSs are placed to support SCGs in the entire state

West Bengal: 1 LPA is placed to support 3 out of total 19 districts and 1 NMS is placed to support SCGs.

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