APAL Advocacy Intervention at Jesus Grace Leprosy Colony, Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh.
As part of its ongoing commitment to advocating for the rights and welfare of persons affected by leprosy, APAL recently intervened in response to the severe challenges faced by the residents of Jesus Grace Leprosy Colony in Gannavaram.
Upon invitation, an APAL representative Mr. Prakash Done Treaurer of APAL, visited the colony and was made aware of several critical and complex issues brought forth by the residents. These included:
1. Land disputes and insecure tenure
2. Lack of official colony registration
3. Non-issuance of UDID cards to persons with disabilities
4. Suspension of ration benefits due to the absence of government-recognised identity documents
5. Inadequate facilities for ulcer dressing and basic medical care
One of the most urgent concerns was the absence of proper medical facilities for ulcer treatment, which poses serious health risks for residents. The APAL representative assured the community that these concerns would be strongly taken up with Sasakawa Health Foundation (SHF) and relevant authorities.
Recognizing that land tenure is a foundational issue, APAL reaffirmed its responsibility to actively engage with government authorities to seek resolution and ensure long-term security for the residents.
In a distressing recent incident, some residents were attacked by outsiders with knives. The APAL representative personally visited the victims and extended moral and legal support. In collaboration with SHF, and under the leadership of Mr. Narasappa and Mr. Venugopal, RPWD-2016 awareness booklets—originally printed with SHF’s support—were distributed among the youth to promote awareness of their rights.
Furthermore, the representative guided the youth in drafting a formal complaint letter and accompanied them, along with other residents, to the local police station. A direct conversation was held with the Circle Inspector (CI), resulting in the official registration of an FIR.
This intervention underscores APAL’s unwavering commitment to the safety, rights, and dignity of persons affected by leprosy, and reflects the power of community-led advocacy when backed by strategic partnerships and legal frameworks.
