NEWS & EVENTS

On the date of 22^nd July, 2020 APAL conducted an awareness program on Precautions against COVID-19 in Ambedkar Leprosy Colony at Nalgonda district, Telangana

Introduction: In this terrible COVID-19 crisis time the health promotion information is reaching some persons affected by leprosy but others are difficult to reach due to travel restrictions and illiteracy. 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. People affected by leprosy who reside in leprosy colonies struggle for strengthened food because they are surviving only depending on begging, working as daily labourers, or running small shops but they lost all their livelihoods completely.
In response to this upheaval, the Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL) conducted an awareness program on PRECAUTION OF COVID-19 and distributed eggs to 110 families of people affected by leprosy in Ambedkar Leprosy Colony at Nalgonda district-Telangana. On the occasion, the president of APAL Mr. Narsappa Vagavathli explained the precaution methods for COVID-19 following

1. Stay at home when you are sick
2. Avoid close contact with people who are sick
3. Wash your hands at least 20 seconds
4. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue
5. Don’t eat raw food; thoroughly cook meat & egg
6. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
7. Clean & disinfect frequently touched objects & surfaces
8. Avoid crowded places and travelling etc. Finally, he said that “Increase of Immunity Power ourselves is the best prevention of corona Virus”. with healthy fruits and vegetables which are available.

On the date, the 7th of July 2020 Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL) approached and associated with GRETNALTES INSTITUTIONS and distributed MCR footwear to the people affected by leprosy.

Introduction: 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 and Micro Cellular Rubber (MCR) footwear for walking to prevent bone infections and amputation of legs and fingers.

In response to this upheaval, the Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL) associated with GRETNALTES INSTITUTIONS distributed MCR footwear to 100 members of persons affected by leprosy in Bunny Nagar Leprosy Association, Guggirala Mandal, Guntur District state of Andhra Pradesh. The MCR footwear is sponsored by GRETNALTES INSTITUTIONS. On the occasion, the AP leprosy State Leader Mr. Nageswar Rao attended and on behalf of all beneficiaries conveyed gratitude to the sponsors for their great support of this terrible COVID-19 crisis.

On the date of16th June 2020, Rising Star distributed food grains to people affected by leprosy in Jeevan Jyothi Leprosy Colony at Yadgiri District- Karnataka

Introduction: Persons affected with Leprosy 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 some food grains, soaps and masks to the people affected by leprosy those who are residing in the leprosy colonies. In most states, our APAL leaders represented and supported food aid and other key social protection services also.

Self-care kits distributed on the date of14^th June 2020, Harsh Nagar Leprosy Colony,  Sendhwa District- Barwani, Madhya Pradesh

Introduction: Persons affected with Leprosy are facing difficulty obtaining basic goods, especially food, clean water, and soap, masks which are critical to fighting COVID-19 infection. 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. In most states, our APAL leaders represented and supported food aid and other key social protection services also.

In response to this upheaval, the Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL) associated with Lepra society & Rising Star Outreach distributed self-care kits to 80 persons affected by leprosy in Harsh Nagar leprosy colony, Sendhwa, Dist- Barwani, state of Madhya Pradesh. The Self- care kits sponsored by Rising Star Outreach.  The beneficiaries are conveyed their gratitude to APAL, Lepra society, and Rising Star Outreach for support self-care kits in the terrible COVID-19crisis time. 

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.