What we do
Our operational strategy
Since its foundation, SFLG has provided care to people with leprosy; treating patients and the disabilities caused by the disease. Nursing care may last a patient's lifetime and extend to family members who are outcast from society.
Now our key strategic focus is to find and diagnose people affected by leprosy as early as possible and to start Multidrug Therapy (MDT) immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment with MDT stops the transmission of leprosy and prevents lifelong disabilities from developing.
In 2017, SFLG devised a new operational strategy to support the global goal of Zero Leprosy and to define the work that we are supporting. We refer to our five-pronged approach as TRACE and this is what it stands for:
Now our key strategic focus is to find and diagnose people affected by leprosy as early as possible and to start Multidrug Therapy (MDT) immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment with MDT stops the transmission of leprosy and prevents lifelong disabilities from developing.
In 2017, SFLG devised a new operational strategy to support the global goal of Zero Leprosy and to define the work that we are supporting. We refer to our five-pronged approach as TRACE and this is what it stands for:
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Supporting undergraduate and postgraduate leprosy-specific specialist skills through short or long-term training and learning opportunities for any grade of healthcare worker to develop their potential as future specialist leaders committed to zero leprosy.
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Working in collaboration with the Leprosy Research Initiative supporting applied research into leprosy transmission, prevention and care.
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Research. Green Pastures Hospital, Pokhara
Detecting new leprosy cases by screening members of at-risk populations.
SFLG’s TRACE operating strategy is putting an emphasis on Active Case-Finding; early detection of leprosy followed by treatment with Multidrug Therapy, reflecting new global approaches in the ongoing fight against leprosy.
Leprosy is a contagious disease, passed from person to person. It can only be stopped if everyone with leprosy is found. Our focus is on diagnosing and treating people as early as possible when they have contracted the disease, before disabilities develop and it is passed on to others.
Our partners carry out vital community outreach work, raising awareness of the disease, monitoring for early symptoms, and overseeing treatment. This type of work is key in rural and remote communities, where people can be many miles from medical facilities with no means of transport. As well as seeking out new cases, crucially, Active Case-Finding also involves tracing the close contacts of leprosy patients, so that they can be screened for the disease, meaning the chain of infection can be broken.
SFLG is supporting nine Active Case-Finding projects in five countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Uganda. Our partners run campaigns in local communities and schools to make people more aware of leprosy, host skin camps to screen for and diagnose leprosy and teams of health-workers make door-to-door visits in remote locations where we suspect leprosy will be found. Our ACF Programme was announced in 2021.
SFLG is supporting nine Active Case-Finding projects in five countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Uganda. Our partners run campaigns in local communities and schools to make people more aware of leprosy, host skin camps to screen for and diagnose leprosy and teams of health-workers make door-to-door visits in remote locations where we suspect leprosy will be found. Our ACF Programme was announced in 2021.
Active Case-Finding in Dinajpur, Bangladesh
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Supporting the care of people with leprosy and their contacts through providing inpatient and outpatient treatment, surgery, rehabilitation and long-term care for people diagnosed with leprosy, their families and others living in or near their households.
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Care. Staff nurses, Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre, Dinajpur
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Emergency Support/Capital Equipment investing capital in leprosy-related equipment, maintenance of facilities and rebuilding. Maintaining an Emergencies Reserve to meet any needs that may arise due to adversity.
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Monsoon, Kushtia
Our thanks go to all our donors who make TRACE possible
