The Jhapa Leprosy Reduction project aims to decrease the proportion of leprosy case numbers in children under 18 years to less than 10% in 6 municipalities.
Bringing together the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, the project conducts leprosy education and skin screening for students, teacher and school nurses.
Schools are community hubs that connect various community groups and allows the project to reach into different parts of the community that normal work with health centres cannot. This has resulted in a significant increase of new leprosy cases found.
This year, the project commenced trialling of a new strategy called child-based active case detection. This strategy involves mapping known child leprosy cases, prioritising areas of high transmission and completing comprehensive screening of that specific area or village. The aim is to reduce local transition which in turns supports the area to reach zero local transmission.
This initial trial has been successful with clusters of new hidden cases being found and old leprosy cases that weren’t recorded in the local health system coming to light.
Please note: Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible. Due to added security measures, donations below $10 can no longer be processed online. To make a gift $9 or less, please call us on 1800 LEPROSY (1800 537 767).
If the area of need becomes fully funded, your gift will go where most needed.
Supported by the Australian Government
The Jhapa Leprosy Reduction Project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). Thanks to ANCP, this project is able to help improve the well-being of people affected by leprosy and disability in Nepal.
The Leprosy Mission Australia is a member of the Australian Council for International Development and is a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct. The Code requires members to meet high standards of corporate governance, public accountability, and financial management. The Leprosy Mission Australia is committed to full adherence to the ACFID Code of Conduct. More information about the ACFID Code of Conduct may be obtained by contacting The Leprosy Mission Australia or visiting the ACFID website. Complaints relating to a breach of the ACFID Code of Conduct can be made to the ACFID Code of Conduct Committee.
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