About Us

Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. The stigma and fear associated with leprosy cause those impaired or disabled by this disease to be amongst the poorest of the poor. They face economic, social and emotional marginalisation, as well as physical difficulties. NLT aims to bring improvements to every aspect of the lives of such people, by equipping them to re-adapt and re-integrate successfully in their communities, both socially and economically.

NLT serves not only those affected by leprosy, but also other marginalised groups. Its early work, which began in 1972, included establishing a range of rehabilitation, income generation and financial assistance projects for people affected by leprosy, destitute women and children, and other disadvantaged people. Following 20 years of experience, the Trust established Nepal's third leprosy referral hospital at Lalgadh, in the southeast of the country. It was officially opened in 1996 and is now a major centre, offering much more than just medical diagnosis and treatment.

Construction of Lalgadh Leprosy Services Centre (LLSC) is complete and fully paid for. As well as being a medical centre of excellence, it provides innovative practical training and is the base for a range of projects involving the community.

The districts surrounding Lalgadh are among those with the highest prevalence of leprosy in Nepal. NLT has been working with the Nepal Government and other organisations towards the World Health Organisation goal of reducing leprosy cases to 1 in 10,000 (Nepal is one of six countries where this figure is yet to be attained). Even after the target is reached there will still be work for years to come to help those already impaired or disabled through the disease, as well as identifying and treating new cases.

Overcoming impairment, rejection and economic marginalisation are the most pressing concerns for those affected by leprosy. Therefore, in addition to leprosy control and elimination activities, NLT emphasises Prevention of Impairment and Disability (POID). Its work also includes Capacity Building, Empowerment and Community Awareness programmes.

PREVENTION OF IMPAIRMENT & DISABILITY (POID)

NLT aims not only to provide the appropriate cure for those affected by leprosy, but also to prevent and manage impairments and raise the level of functional ability for those with impairments. Health education, training, out-patient services, surgical and rehabilitation programmes are some of the means used to achieve this. POID also includes provision of special footwear and appliances, physiotherapy, wound care and POID clinics in the field.

The Self-Care Training Centre at Lalgadh plays a vital role in enabling people to take individual responsibility for avoiding bodily damage, such as burns or foot ulcers, that can result from a loss of feeling. This helps ensure the successful rehabilitation of cured people back into their communities, since visible impairments and disability can lead to stigma and marginalisation.

 

CAPACITY BUILDING 

NLT works in partnership with the Nepal Government and other organisations, large and small, international and local. Through collaboration, it seeks to build up the capacity of health workers and influential community groups in a targeted way.

EMPOWERMENT

All of NLT's programmes are aimed at empowering people affected by leprosy to re-enter society and function effectively within it, equipped with the skills they need. NLT seeks to enable those who are marginalised to become the principal agents of change in issues affecting their own lives, and full participants in their communities.

COMMUNITY AWARENESS

NLT's work is steadily adopting a greater community thrust. The goal is to reduce lack of understanding about leprosy and help build a supportive community for all those affected by the disease. Street drama, for example, is used to convey essential facts about leprosy and encourage those with skin conditions to come forward for tests. A pioneering feature is the inclusion of people who have been affected by leprosy in such teams.

STIGMA ELIMINATION

The major principle in all of NLT's activities is to reduce the stigma that wrongfully and unjustly surrounds leprosy. It is aimed to promote the full participation in society of all those affected, including family members. NLT's Stigma Elimination Programme (STEP) now provides the governing rationale in all that NLT does.

For more information or to donate to the work of NLT - contact us or visit the support us page