bombay leprosy project, mumbai, india
A community-based approach to leprosy treatment in Mumbai
The Bombay Leprosy Project (BLP) is an NGO, founded in 1976. BLP's work is entirely community-based and its goal is to improve the quality of life of people with leprosy. By treating people in the community rather than as hospital in-patients, people with leprosy can remain in their homes with their family, and avoid the social stigma associated with going away for treatment.
BLP receives hundreds of referrals from other centres and medical practitioners every year. SFLG has been working with BLP since 2016.
The Bombay Leprosy Project (BLP) is an NGO, founded in 1976. BLP's work is entirely community-based and its goal is to improve the quality of life of people with leprosy. By treating people in the community rather than as hospital in-patients, people with leprosy can remain in their homes with their family, and avoid the social stigma associated with going away for treatment.
BLP receives hundreds of referrals from other centres and medical practitioners every year. SFLG has been working with BLP since 2016.
Arjun (aged 27, lives at home in Badlapur, a suburb of Mumbai)
Arjun was 20 years old, married with a son, and working as a labourer when developed painful nodules on his forearms, accompanied by a fever.
When the treatment given to him by a local doctor failed to work, he visited a large hospital in Mumbai. Over the next four years Arjun suffered the thickening of his skin, painful swellings, and joint and bone pain. He was eventually referred to the BLP, where he was given thalidomide to control his leprosy reactions and a course of steroids and physiotherapy for two more years. Arjun continues to visit the BLP regularly for maintenance treatment and check-ups.
Arjun is grateful that the medical and paramedical teams at the BLP were so supportive and says they “relieved me of the pain and misery… without the support of this centre, I am sure that my condition would have deteriorated, and it would have affected both my family life and financially.”
Arjun hopes to have another child when he has finished his thalidomide treatment. Though he is currently selling food at a street stall, he plans to secure a better income in the near future too.
Arjun was 20 years old, married with a son, and working as a labourer when developed painful nodules on his forearms, accompanied by a fever.
When the treatment given to him by a local doctor failed to work, he visited a large hospital in Mumbai. Over the next four years Arjun suffered the thickening of his skin, painful swellings, and joint and bone pain. He was eventually referred to the BLP, where he was given thalidomide to control his leprosy reactions and a course of steroids and physiotherapy for two more years. Arjun continues to visit the BLP regularly for maintenance treatment and check-ups.
Arjun is grateful that the medical and paramedical teams at the BLP were so supportive and says they “relieved me of the pain and misery… without the support of this centre, I am sure that my condition would have deteriorated, and it would have affected both my family life and financially.”
Arjun hopes to have another child when he has finished his thalidomide treatment. Though he is currently selling food at a street stall, he plans to secure a better income in the near future too.
“The patients affected with leprosy should not fear and should take treatment and follow up regularly and properly. They should have a positive approach towards life and have a positive outlook as regular treatment helps to overcome the disease related problems. Centres like BLP dedicated for leprosy services need to continue to provide the much-needed care and treatment”.
Dhruv (aged 33, lives at home in Kandivali, a small suburb of Mumbai)
At 28 years old, Dhruv was working as an accountant when he experienced red swelling on his face, ears and limbs. Over the following year, the swelling worsened, and his skin began to thicken. Homeopathic and Ayurvedic treatments did not improve his condition, and when he visited a local hospital, they referred him to the BLP where he was diagnosed with leprosy.
Dhruv feared the effect that his leprosy diagnosis would have on his family and his job.
However, he began multidrug therapy and took thalidomide and steroids to control his leprosy reaction. Although the pain from leprosy reaction caused Dhruv great misery, the drugs improved his condition over time.
Dhruv could not have afforded to pay for his treatment, and is very grateful that it has been provided for free. The counselling and reassurance offered by the BLP teams also prevented him from spiralling into depression. He is now looking for a job, so that he can become financially secure, get married and start a family.
At 28 years old, Dhruv was working as an accountant when he experienced red swelling on his face, ears and limbs. Over the following year, the swelling worsened, and his skin began to thicken. Homeopathic and Ayurvedic treatments did not improve his condition, and when he visited a local hospital, they referred him to the BLP where he was diagnosed with leprosy.
Dhruv feared the effect that his leprosy diagnosis would have on his family and his job.
However, he began multidrug therapy and took thalidomide and steroids to control his leprosy reaction. Although the pain from leprosy reaction caused Dhruv great misery, the drugs improved his condition over time.
Dhruv could not have afforded to pay for his treatment, and is very grateful that it has been provided for free. The counselling and reassurance offered by the BLP teams also prevented him from spiralling into depression. He is now looking for a job, so that he can become financially secure, get married and start a family.
Leprosy is curable. Do not fear the disease and take treatment properly. Lack of awareness of the disease and lack of knowledge creates fear and stigma which must be removed. Patients need emotional and family support during the long course of treatment. Also, financial support is needed. The long duration causes mental stress and anxiety which needs to be managed by proper care”.
Suhani (aged 57, lives at home in Andheri, a Mumbai suburb)
When Suhani was 53, she was married with a son and working as a banker. She dreamed of visiting her grandson and of travelling around India. However, she developed painful swellings and wounds on her legs and body which progressed into thickening skin and wounds on Suhani’s arms. She was initially misdiagnosed with other skin conditions, but a dermatologist eventually referred her to the BLP where she was diagnosed with leprosy. Suhani was frightened that the disease might have spread to family members, but thankfully they were later found to have no symptoms.
At BLP, she was put on a course of multidrug therapy but painful blisters and nerve pain meant that she also had to take thalidomide, to bring the leprosy reaction under control. Suhani talks of how supportive and helpful the doctors and staff at BLP were, and of how their counselling helped her to overcome the emotional effects of the diagnosis and treatment. Thanks to them, Suhani should now be able to live a life free of pain, see her grandson and fulfil her wish to travel.
When Suhani was 53, she was married with a son and working as a banker. She dreamed of visiting her grandson and of travelling around India. However, she developed painful swellings and wounds on her legs and body which progressed into thickening skin and wounds on Suhani’s arms. She was initially misdiagnosed with other skin conditions, but a dermatologist eventually referred her to the BLP where she was diagnosed with leprosy. Suhani was frightened that the disease might have spread to family members, but thankfully they were later found to have no symptoms.
At BLP, she was put on a course of multidrug therapy but painful blisters and nerve pain meant that she also had to take thalidomide, to bring the leprosy reaction under control. Suhani talks of how supportive and helpful the doctors and staff at BLP were, and of how their counselling helped her to overcome the emotional effects of the diagnosis and treatment. Thanks to them, Suhani should now be able to live a life free of pain, see her grandson and fulfil her wish to travel.
“[Leprosy is] certainly curable, not to fear the disease and take treatment properly and more importantly regularly. The family should support the affected member patient emotionally and morally during the treatment”.
