What we do |
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Our operational strategy
Since its foundation, SFLG has provided nursing 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 detect and diagnose people affected by leprosy as early as possible and to start MDT immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment with MTD 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:
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:
SFLG funds vital training to local health workers and volunteers who are rooting out leprosy in communities. We provide grants for UK medical students who wish to gain experience of working with leprosy patients and we also support people affected by leprosy to learn vocational skills to restore their dignity and independence.
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Working in partnership with the Leprosy Research Initiative and other organisations, we sponsor vital research projects that can help end leprosy for good. For example, there is no vaccine for leprosy, nor or a fast and effective diagnostic test, so we are helping to address issues like these.
Active case-finding is a key component of SFLG’s TRACE strategy. Leprosy is a contagious disease, passed from person to person. It can only be fully eradicated if all cases can be found. As with Covid-19, there are high rates of community transmission. So, like surge testing for Covid, it is essential to screen whole communities.
Our focus is on diagnosing and treating people as early as possible when they have contracted the disease, before disabilities and deformities can evolve and before it can be passed on to others. SFLG funds organisations that 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. Again, this is similar to Covid-19, where contact tracing has proven vital to slowing the spread of the disease, and routing out potential cases. Read more about active case-finding.
Our focus is on diagnosing and treating people as early as possible when they have contracted the disease, before disabilities and deformities can evolve and before it can be passed on to others. SFLG funds organisations that 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. Again, this is similar to Covid-19, where contact tracing has proven vital to slowing the spread of the disease, and routing out potential cases. Read more about active case-finding.
SFLG supports leprosy hospitals and clinics that provide comprehensive treatment and care, both to help cure leprosy and to minimise the complications that can stem from the disease. Read more about how SFLG cares for people with leprosy
People affected by leprosy are often physically and economically vulnerable. COVID-19 has highlighted, yet again, our need to support people with leprosy in the wake of emergencies such as a pandemic or natural disaster.
Our thanks go to all our donors who make TRACE possible.
