NEWS & EVENTS

On 30^th January 2024, APAL conducted an Anti-Leprosy Day program in collaboration with the Government of Assam in Kamrup, Assam. The program aimed to raise awareness of leprosy and recognize the efforts of leprosy champions and the medical department. Additionally, blankets were distributed to those in need. APAL’s Joint Secretary, Mr. Ramavarai Sah, contributed to the program by explaining the services offered by the organization.

The program was successful in spreading awareness of leprosy, an important public health issue. The recognition of leprosy champions and the medical department serves to acknowledge their significant contributions to the cause. Furthermore, the distribution of blankets to those in need demonstrates APAL’s commitment to improving the lives of those affected by leprosy.

In conclusion, APAL’s Anti-Leprosy Day program in Kamrup, Assam was a commendable initiative that helped raise awareness of leprosy and recognize the dedication of those involved in the fight against the disease.

On 29^th January 2024, APAL’s President, Mrs. Maya Ranavare, along with APAL’s State Committee in Madhya Pradesh, visited the SLO office in Indore and presented a memorandum. Several discussions were held during the visit, which proved to be fruitful.

The memorandum outlined several key issues that require attention. Firstly, we respectfully request that representatives from APAL or the state committee be included in the Government’s programs. We believe that this measure would facilitate collaboration and promote greater participation in the state’s affairs.

We urge the Government to duly incorporate these representatives into its programs and initiatives. Doing so would enable a more inclusive and robust policymaking process and enhance the overall effectiveness of the Government’s initiatives.

Secondly, the memorandum requested that children or disabled leprosy patients be appointed as dressers in every leprosy colony in the state, where there are ulcer patients. These dressers would receive an honorarium of at least Rs 5000 for treating the ulcer patients.

Lastly, APAL requested to be included in the government’s survey conducted throughout the state. This would enable the organization to better understand the needs of the people and provide appropriate support.

APAL expresses its gratitude towards the SLO for his positive response and warm hospitality during the visit. It is hoped that he will take prompt action on the issues raised in the memorandum. APAL would like to extend special thanks to Mr. Sarang Gayadane, Secretary of APAL, and Mrs. Saritha for their valuable contributions during the visit.

On January 25th, 2024, the Bokaro District Office in Jharkhand distributed tricycles to three individuals with disabilities. This commendable act highlights the APAL’s State Committee in Jharkhand’s commitment to supporting people with disabilities and improving their quality of life.

The provision of tricycles is undoubtedly a significant step towards enabling greater mobility and independence for the recipients. We hope that this initiative will inspire other organizations to follow suit and contribute to the welfare of the disabled community.

APAL extend our gratitude to the Bokaro District Office in Jharkhand for their invaluable and useful services to persons with disabilities.

On 23^rd January 2024, The State Committee of the Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL) in Jharkhand was in attendance at the State Leprosy Prevention Office’s meeting in Ranchi under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme. SLO Virendra Kumar Singh partook in the meeting to achieve a successful Jharkhand State Sparsh Program awareness campaign. Representing the Indian Medical Association, Jharkhand, was a member present at the meeting.

State Program Manager, National Health Mission, Jharkhand, Namkum, Ranchi, State Nodal Officer, State Sahiya Cell. Community Stimulation Cell Officer, Jharkhand. Dr. Abhishek Paul, State Coordinator, WHO, Jharkhand, Ranchi. Dr. Siddharth Bishwal, NLEP Coordinator, NLR. Dr. Gautam, State Coordinator, D.F.I.T. Nodal Officer, IEC Cell. Madhusudan Tiwari, Nicodin Tirkey Apal Organization Jharkhand, Ranchi. Director, Doordarshan, Ranchi, Jharkhand. Director, All India Radio, Ranchi, Jharkhand. Director, Information and Public Relations Department, Ranchi, Jharkhand.

During the meeting, it was unanimously decided that a touch and leprosy detection campaign would be conducted throughout the state from January 30 to February 13, 2024. The campaign will involve Sevakas and ASHA workers conducting door-to-door screenings in all Anganwadi centres, along with banners and posters, while health officers and employees will be running programs in schools and colleges.

The scale of the program this year is noteworthy, especially given the allegations made by the APL team last year regarding the provision of food in the name of the LCD campaign. These allegations led to rumours and the Ghodabandha incident in Jamshedpur, which prompted discussions on the responsible parties and how to maintain character in conducting such a campaign. As a result, plans have been made to run the LCD and Sparsh programs on a larger scale this year.

On 20^th January 2024, The state committee of the Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL) in Chhattisgarh made commendable efforts in organizing an Ayushman application camp for individuals affected by the disease who reside in the leprosy colonies in the region. The Government administered the camp, and Mrs. Keroline, a board member of APAL, deserves special recognition for her active contribution and monitoring of the event. Her dedication and commitment to the cause are truly admirable.

The Ayushman card is a national health authority-issued card that provides access to a network of public and private hospitals across India. The card can be used to receive cashless treatment and hospitalization at these network hospitals

The Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PMJAY) is the world’s largest health assurance scheme. It aims to provide a health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 12 crores of poor and vulnerable families.

On 17^th January 2024, The Governor of Odisha, Raghubar Das, visited a Netaji leprosy colony in Bhubaneswar on Makar Sankranti. He arrived at the colony without any special arrangements and interacted with the residents who were affected by leprosy and their families like a common man.

The women of the colony welcomed him with traditional rituals and he spent time with the children, distributing blankets to over 50 women. It’s commendable that he also enquired about the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) programme and other welfare schemes in the leprosy colony.

APAL would like to express gratitude to the Governor for his responsible interaction. Additionally, special thanks are extended to Mr. Jainuddin, the State Coordinator of Jharkhand, and Mr. Jawahar Ram Paswan, Vice-President of APAL, for their commendable efforts.

On 14^th January 2024, Mrs. Maya Ranavare, President of APAL, participated in the Leprosy Convention hosted at the Purple Festival in Goa. The convention was organized in collaboration with TLM, SHF, VIDHI, NCEPEDP, and other organizations.

During her address, Ms. Ranavare discussed the advocacy initiatives undertaken by APAL and elucidated its vision, mission, and key initiatives to the audience. She also extended her gratitude to Mr. Rajeev Sharma, Joint Secretary of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, for his support and assistance.

On 14^th January 2024, In collaboration with The Society for Rural Development Society (SRD) and APAL state committee in Telangana recently organized a distribution program for essential commodities, bed sheets, and sarees for leprosy-affected families in the Peddambar Pate Shanti Nagar Leprosy Colony.

The SRD staff took the opportunity to educate the community about the effective management of leprosy. They emphasized the significance of adhering to medical advice, consuming nutritious food, and taking medication regularly to achieve complete recovery. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of seeking medical attention promptly if individuals display symptoms such as dry skin or untouchable body spots. The coordinators of this event, Kranti Kishore and Parvathy, were active participants. It is noteworthy that the SRD staff also tried to dispel the notion that leprosy is a curse and clarify that it is a treatable ailment that requires timely medical attention.

On 11^th January 2024, APAL President Mrs Maya Ranavare Participated in the International Purple Festival in Goa 2024 celebrating diversity India’s first-of-its-kind inclusive festival that celebrates persons with disabilities from 8th to 13th January.

During the meeting, Mrs. Maya brought up a concern regarding the difficulties individuals affected by leprosy face when obtaining disability certificates. Specifically, she highlighted the lack of knowledge among medical professionals about how to issue certificates to those affected by leprosy. The central and state commissioners for persons with disabilities received this issue positively and are currently developing new standard operating procedures. These procedures will aim to assist individuals affected by leprosy in obtaining disability certificates in the future.

On 7^th January 2024,  Mrs. Maya Ranavare, the President of the Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL), participated in the National Confluence of Leprosy held in Bangalore from the 5th to the 7th of January 2024. She delivered a speech on “The Role of APAL in Leprosy Elimination in India.” The event provided a platform for experts, scholars, and stakeholders to discuss and deliberate on the challenges and opportunities in the fight against leprosy in India.

During the presentation, Mrs. Ranavare shared her experiences, as well as the practices of the organization(APAL), and acknowledged the contributions of all the supporters and leprosy champions. Her address was well-received by the attendees, who highly appreciated her valuable insights on the subject matter.