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Disability Prevention
Disabilities in Leprosy contribute to considerable loss in terms of economic and human resources,
thus impinging on the national socioeconomic developmental activities. Until the treatment for leprosy
itself began to hold out hope of an ultimate cure, damage to the nerves of the limbs and face was
usually considered as inevitable with very little importance given to prevention and correction.
It is desirable to practice Prevention of Disability (POD) and rehabilitation activities
simultaneously along with the activities aimed at controlling the disease. The NLEP India has
estimated about 1 to 1.5 million persons with visible disabilities due to leprosy. According to
WHO(1995), nearly 80% of the leprosy disabled in the top 10 endemic countries are from India. BLP
has innovated simple field techniques for the prevention and correction of disabilities.
While most of the patients get away without any clinical problems, a few develop 'reactions', which
could damage nerves and lead to disabilities. Fortunately however, effective treatment in the form
of corticosteroid therapy is available and is being widely used. This has prevented several persons
from becoming permanently disabled. BLP has developed a standard corticosteroid schedule and simple
guidelines for the use of field level workers to identify and manage various types of reactions.
Before Corticosteroid treatment |
After Corticosteroid treatment |
This standard schedule was found to be more effective in preventing massive nerve damage leading to
nerve function impairments. The side-effects are almost negligible and the recurrences are very
minimal. Patients developing early nerve function impairment are treated with supportive therapy
such as body or limb strengthening exercises, static & dynamic splints and electrical muscle
stimulation. Patients with impending paralysis not having responded to steroid therapy were subjected
to nerve decompression ( surgery).
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An Appeal for Donation
To work towards our mission of a 'World Without Leprosy', we need
your help and support in the form of handsome donations.
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