NEWS & EVENTS

The Online meeting conducted in the date of 12^th June 2020 from the APAL head office in Hyderabad

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted the lives of persons affected by the

disease. In response to this upheaval, the Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL) conducted a trial version of a board members’ online meeting on 12^th June 2020, 11 am to 12 am to address key challenges during the India health crisis and spearhead the leprosy community’s emergency response. This online meeting was very useful to us to better understand the challenges of people affected by leprosy from all states of India.

The president of APAL, Mr. Narsappa asked a question to board members at that particular time that, what is the current COVID-19 situation of people affected by the disease of leprosy in all our states of India?

The board members of APAL have raised so many issues consistently, across India, as major concerns for persons affected during the COVID-19 pandemic: In most states, our APAL leaders represented and supported food aid and other key social protection services are reaching some persons affected, but many are unable to benefit from it because of structural barriers, transportation challenges, or information gaps. Persons affected are relying on the safety net of services from the Governments and NGOs, but it is unclear who is receiving what, and difficult to ensure that everyone’s needs are being met.

Fundamental goods: Persons affected are facing difficulty obtaining basic goods, especially food, clean water, and soap, masks which are critical to fighting COVID-19 infection. Lost livelihoods and travel restrictions have made it difficult to obtain food for many persons affected, and many communities of persons affected have not had access to clean water. The Government and local NGOs are supported by some food grains, soaps, and masks to the people affected by leprosy those who are residing in the leprosy colonies.

Health care: Persons affected have specific and ongoing leprosy-related healthcare needs. If persons affected can reach health facilities, they face reductions in services, as facilities transition to exclusively treating COVID-19 patients. MDT is largely still available, but reaction treatment is unobtainable for many persons affected. Unfortunately, in the states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, 5 affected people are infected by Coronavirus and 1 person was dead.

Livelihoods: Persons affected often work in the informal economy. They are surviving only depending on begging, working as daily laborers, or running small shops but they lost all their livelihoods.  As a result, many persons affected are unable to work and their ability to meet basic needs is in severe jeopardy.

Information about COVID-19: Health promotion information is reaching some personal organizations and some local NGOs are working to find alternative ways to get messages to those that need them. Most people haven’t smartphones and newspapers also banned them.

Intersecting vulnerabilities: Persons affected are not only vulnerable because of their status as a person that is affected by leprosy, but is often vulnerable for other reasons as well. These other factors, like age or gender, compound the challenges faced by persons affected during this time and deserve special attention.

In the state of Andhra Pradesh the state leader associated with the state Government distributed vegetables and medicine, dressing materials to people affected by leprosy in the Srikakulam, Narasannapeta and Amudalavalasa

Mr. V. Narsappa visited Yadagiri state colonies Karnataka state on 1^st March 20. The colony leader Mr. Parasuram and other colony inmates met Mr. Narsappa and requested to salve the problem which colony people facing.

The colony people are facing Land and house issues, enhanced pension and Disability certificates, and basic amendments. Mr. Narsappa has explained the APAL activities and objectives. He assured that APAL will take certain action and solve the problem.

State of Tamil Nadu, state leader Mr. A. Prakasam with his hard efforts received corona relief kits from the Rotary club, the Lion club Rising Star Outreach, and other donors.

• Rising Star Outreach has sponsored food grains and distributed to 200 families all over Tamil Nadu leprosy colonies and cash Rs.1000/- each family.  
• Mrs. Padma Venkataraman from her India Mahila Sangam sponsored Vegetables to Villivakkam  Balarampuram colony for 40 families and Rs 1,000/- per family.
• Rotary Club Dr. Renuka sponsored food grains to 40 families at Villivakkam Balarampuram Leprosy Colony.
• Ms.Lalitha –Marvadi sponsored Rs 11,000 to every 45 colonies in Tamil Nadu. The colony leaders asked to buy all vegetables Rice, Dal Ration Materials and submit the bills to Donor through the state leader. This is a routine donation to colonies every quarter.
• Ms.Seetha – Secretary of Street Vision sponsoring daily lunch for  150 families in 90 days up to June 2020. 

• Local Individuals Sponsored food grains to 200 families in other leprosy colonies near Chennai.

The Bihar State leader Mr. Someswara Dubay and the president of Samutthan met DM on 31 March and they have explained the issues of colony people are facing during the Corona LockDown period  Mr. Someswar Dubay and Muaffepur, Mootihari, Samastipur, and colony leaders are also in the meeting and submitting memorandum to DM. The DM arranged all things of pockets are Vegetables, 5 kg Rice, 3kg Dal, 3 pocket oil and ration things to 30 families in each colony of Muffzapur, Mototihari, Samastipur colonies

Ms. Maya Ranavare-Treasurer of APAL participated in the Women’s day celebration program on 18^th March 20 at Trombe Leprosy Colony Mumbai.  The Local ward counselor and   50 women are participated in the women’s day celebration program. They honored the best social workers in the leprosy colony.

The state leader Mr. Rasul Mulla with state committee members with hard efforts get Vegetables and ration through Member of Parliament Kalyan, Maharashtra.  The Vegetables and Ration were distributed in Kalyan, Ulhasnagar and Ambernath

A joint enhancing relationship between the disability movement and the People Affected by Leprosy seminar was organized by APAL and DPI on 13-02-20 at U S I, New Delhi. 40 people affected by leprosy from Delhi and Haryana & 8 people from the disability movement participated in the seminar.

Mr. Arman Ali, Executive Director, NCPEDP delivered a welcome address, and Dr. Vineeta Shankar, Executive Director SILF has presented an overview of Leprosy. Mr. Venu Gopal – Vice President APAL & Mr. Uday Thakar- Advisor APAL addressed the seminar on Leprosy and APAL activities.After a self-introduction by participants, Mr. S. N. Tyagi and Mr. Girdhari Lal explained the present status of Leprosy Affected People in Haryana and Delhi. Mr. Rajiv Rathuri informed about RPWD Act and benefits for people affected by leprosy. Mr. Dhawani Mehta, Vidhi Centre for legal policy explained about legislative framework around Leprosy.

Ms. Nikita Sara, TLM informed about livelihood and employment opportunities for people affected by leprosy. Mr. Pankaj Sinha explained the Supreme Court’s directions for the empowerment of Leprosy Affected People. Finally, discussions took place on the action plan and the seminar concluded. After over meeting Mr. Venu Gopal –Vice President and Mr. Uday Thakar went to Mr. A K Sahoo – Additional Secretary Rajya Sabha at his office. Had discussions about the EDPAL bill and further action to introduce in Parliament. He gave suggestions and assured his cooperation from Law Ministry.

Mrs. Nevis Mary- Joint Secretary APAL visited Balaramapuram Villivakkam, leprosy colony, and also attended the colony leaders meeting at Villivakkam, Chennai on 12 February 2020.

Mr. Prakaasam – State Leader has arranged colony leaders meeting at Villivakkam, Chennai. The Colony leaders from Kumbakonam, Ulunthurpet, Chengalpat, Sever, SP Koil, Venkatapuram, Thiruthani, Dharmapuri, and Villivakkam have attended the meeting.

The Rising Star outreach India team has also participated in the meeting. Mr. Prakasam recommended the request of Sevur colony for the construction of 4 toilets.  Kumbakonam leader reported that renewal of railway concession, ID card was refused by Railway department. The reason was leprosy is not on the railway’s disability list. Xerox copies of the application and ID card were received for further process. It was good to be with all.

Due to loss of sensation the People Affected by Leprosy get ulcer wounds in their hands and feet. They require daily dressing of the ulcers to prevent bone infections and amputation of legs and fingers. To facilitate the ulcer suffering patients, Association of People Affected by Leprosy through its Madhya Pradesh State Committee Sahyog Kusht Nivaran Samiti has applied under the CSR scheme to Morya Saria Industries, Indore for sponsorship to set up 4 ulcer dressing units for the 250 ulcer suffering patients living in 11leprosy colonies existing in Indore district. On 5th, January 2020 Mr. Pawan Singhania, M. D. of Morya Saria inaugurated the first dressing unit at Arunodaya Leprosy Colony, Indore. Mr. Sarang, Secretary, APAL, State Committee members Mrs. Rekha, Mrs. Anita, Mr. Subhash Kumar, Mr.  Raju Rathore, and all Colony members were also presented in the opening ceremony.