Details of the Awards:

Referral Centre Chilakalapalli

• 557 cases have been reported to the OPD. Of them, 530 cases were either case with general skin conditions or old treated leprosy cases for management of complications/steroid treatment. The remaining 27 were new cases suspected and referred to the centre for diagnosis of leprosy. 23 cases were confirmed and referred back to the respective PHCs for MDT initiation. 8 new cases of sensory impairment were provided with protective footwear.
• 530 old cases reporting to the Referral Centre were counselled and demonstrated self-care practices
• to OPD and those admitted in IP wards, with podiatric footwear to those with ulcers.
• 14 cases with reaction/neuritis were reported to the Referral centre. 5 cases were admitted to IP wards. All the cases were put on steroids and regular follow-up was done as per the schedule. 9 cases have shown very good improvement. and 5 cases are still under the scheduled course of steroid treatment.
• Nerve function assessment was done for all the 23 new cases, 22 cases identified from LCDC and 14 cases with reaction and neuritis.
• referred to TLM Salur. 4 cases underwent surgery. 3 cases have recovered their functional abilities. 1 case recently underwent RCS and it is therefore too early to assess recovery of functional ability.
• During the reporting period, 64 cases (59 ulcers & 5 Reaction/Neuritis) were admitted to IP wards and treated for ulcers. In 43 cases, the ulcers have healed.
• 26 self-care kits were provided to patients with ulcers reported to the referral centre and during field visits.
• 1 disability care camp was organised in Galavalli PHC .19 beneficiaries benefitted from the camp. 19 patients were provided MCR Footwear and 11 self-care kits were provided to needy patients.
• 2 Male patients were identified & referred to the DFIT Coordinator for LEP assistance by the Project. LEP assistance was provided for the renovation of the house (Rs.76, 000/-) and education support to a leprosy-affected student. (Rs.18,500/-)

Support to District in Programme Monitoring

• The PT/PC have attended district review meetings every month and presented the project achievements and the plan of activities for the next quarter.
• The Programme Coordinator along with a Physiotherapy technician visited 5 PHCs to interact with Medical officers, nodal persons in PHCs in charge of the leprosy programme & Pharmacists to appraise services available at the Centre to strengthen the referral mechanism.
• Project PT supported PHC Medical Officers & Nodal persons in the preparation of LCDC action plan and training in 5 PHC.
• Project PT supported 8 PHC MO in confirmation of suspects in LCDC. Of 254 suspects 246 suspects were examined and 26 cases were confirmed and imitated on MDT. 1 case was identified with Type I reaction and put on steroid treatment.

Capacity Building

• 7 training programmes were conducted for 204 health workers & 317 ASHA workers of 4 endemic & 3 tribal PHCs to strengthen early referrals. The training was more focused on the identification, Cardinal signs, diagnosis, Treatment & strengthening of referral services and follow-up
• On-job training on leprosy and DPMR was conducted for GH staff & ASHA workers 5 PHCs involved in LCDC Programme 374 GH staff and ASHA participated in the training. The training was more focused on physical examination of the population, identification, cardinal signs, diagnosis & treatment of leprosy and referral of suspects to PHCs.

Services by Referral Centre

• 1009 cases have been reported to the OPD. Of them, 948 cases were either case with general skin conditions or old treated leprosy cases for management of complications/steroid treatment. The remaining 61 were new cases suspected and referred to the centre for diagnosis of leprosy. 32 cases were confirmed and referred back to the respective PHCs for MDT initiation.
• 17 cases with reaction/neuritis reported to Referral centre. All the cases were put on steroids and regular follow-up was done as per the schedule. 15 cases have shown very good improvement. 2 cases are still under the scheduled course of steroid treatment
• Nerve function assessment was done for all the 75 cases (32 New cases reported to RC, 26 cases identified from LCDC and 17 cases with reaction and neuritis).
• 165 old cases reporting to the Referral Centre were counselled and demonstrated self-care practices.
• 20 cases suitable and willing for RCS were admitted, prepared for surgery and referred to TLM Salur. 16 cases underwent surgery. 15 cases have recovered their functional abilities. 1 case recently underwent RCS and it is therefore too early to assess recovery of functional capacity.
• During the reporting period, 119 ulcer cases were admitted in IP wards and treated. 88 ulcers have healed and 2 cases with complications were referred to Salur.
• Footwear was provided to 504 leprosy-affected persons (M 318 & F 176), of which 58 were supplied to leprosy-affected persons residing in one leprosy colony and to district TH Ward at RIMS
• 2 disability care camps were organised in Burada & Boddam PHCs. 45 beneficiaries attended the camp. 36 patients were provided MCR Footwear and 26 self-care kits were provided to needy patients.
• 1 person was referred to and admitted to the Vocational Training Centre of TLM at Vizianagaram.
• 86 self-care kits were provided to patients with ulcers who reported to the referral centre.
• 5 leprosy-affected persons (2 M, 3 F) who had RCS were referred to the DFIT Coordinator for LEP assistance by the RC Pogiri. DFIT considered the LEP proposal of the Coordinator and provided 1 motorized sewing machine, 1 Scanner cum Xerox machine, 2 for educational support and 1 for house renovation.

The Referral Centre and footwear unit of Fontilles established at Pogiri have made a big difference in the identification of new cases, cases with reactions/neuritis, admission and treatment of complicated ulcer cases, referral of cases for RCS and provision of footwear to leprosy-affected persons with insensitive feet for prevention of ulcers and further damage to the feet. These are the most relevant activities of the leprosy programme neglected hitherto and focused on now because of the generosity of Fontilles in supporting this cause.