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Mental health challenges are common among people affected by leprosy and lymphatic filariasis, driven by stigma, disability, and social exclusion. Without support, these challenges can undermine treatment adherence, recovery, and overall quality of life.
LEPRA addresses this gap through community-based mental health care integrated into NTD services through Samarth project. Through 109 Self-Support Groups (SSGs), over 1,200 individuals have received training in disease management, mental well-being, and disability prevention. Peer counselling and group support have helped reduce isolation, improve coping skills, and strengthen confidence.
The programme has now entered Phase II, with a focus on sustainability and community ownership. Leadership of SSGs is being transitioned to trained community members, and groups are linked with public health programmes such as WASH, vector control, Mass Drug Administration (MDA), and Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC). Samarth demonstrates a scalable, community-driven model for integrating mental health into neglected tropical disease care while strengthening local health systems.
Since 2015, LEPRA has been implementing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes to improve health, dignity, and living conditions in underserved communities.
The programme focuses on training and awareness to promote safe hygiene practices, alongside infrastructure support to improve access to sanitation and clean water. Activities include community education on hygiene and sanitation, construction of household and community toilets, provision of safe drinking water, and installation of rainwater harvesting facilities.
By combining behaviour change with practical infrastructure, LEPRA’s WASH interventions help prevent disease, reduce vulnerability, and strengthen community resilience.
Scabies is a highly contagious skin condition that disproportionately affects overcrowded and underserved communities. Intense itching, secondary infections, and stigma often lead to delayed care, especially among children and older adults. LEPRA Society supports early identification, treatment referral, and community awareness to reduce transmission, prevent complications, and promote timely care through strengthened primary health systems.
Malaria remains a persistent public health concern in many tribal and hard-to-reach regions of India. Delayed diagnosis, poor access to health services, and environmental factors increase the risk of severe illness and death. LEPRA Society works with communities and public health systems to promote early detection, referral, vector control awareness, and treatment adherence, contributing to malaria prevention and control efforts.
Japanese Encephalitis is a serious, mosquito-borne disease that can cause severe neurological damage or death, particularly among children. Survivors often live with long-term disabilities. LEPRA Society focuses on early referral, disability management, caregiver support, and community awareness to reduce the impact of JE and improve quality of life for affected children and families.
Disability caused by neglected tropical diseases and other chronic conditions often leads to reduced mobility, social exclusion, stigma, and loss of livelihood opportunities. Many affected individuals face barriers in accessing rehabilitation services, assistive devices, education, and employment.
LEPRA Society promotes disability inclusion through early identification, self-care training, physiotherapy support, assistive devices, and community-based rehabilitation approaches. The programme also works to strengthen awareness and inclusion within families, schools, workplaces, and public systems, helping persons with disabilities live with dignity and participate fully in community life.
Chronic illness, disability, and stigma can significantly affect household income, education, and social participation. Many affected individuals experience loss of employment opportunities and financial insecurity, further increasing vulnerability.
LEPRA Society supports livelihoods and social inclusion through skills development, linkage to government welfare schemes, self-help and self-support groups, and opportunities for income generation. By strengthening economic resilience and social participation, these interventions help individuals and families rebuild confidence, improve quality of life, and reduce long-term dependence.
Limited awareness, stigma, and misinformation continue to delay care-seeking and contribute to discrimination against people affected by neglected diseases and disabilities. Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to exclusion from education and social participation.
LEPRA Society promotes health education and community awareness through schools, community groups, frontline workers, and local institutions. Activities focus on increasing understanding of disease prevention, early care-seeking, inclusion, hygiene, mental well-being, and disability rights. These efforts help create informed and supportive communities while encouraging healthier behaviours and reducing stigma.
Strong and inclusive health systems are essential for sustaining disease prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care. However, underserved and remote communities often face gaps in access, workforce capacity, referral systems, and integrated service delivery.
LEPRA Society works closely with government health systems to strengthen service delivery through capacity building, supportive supervision, digital health innovations, referral mechanisms, community engagement, and integration of services across programmes. These efforts contribute to improved access, quality of care, and sustainability of public health interventions, particularly for vulnerable populations.
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