BLP NEWS

• The entry of Bombay Leprosy Project (BLP) into its 34th year of glorious service was marked by the recognition of its academic achievements by the most prestigious scientific body in India which is exclusively devoted to the cause of scientific advancements in leprosy.
• At the 27th Biennial Conference of the Indian Association of Leprologists (IAL) held in New Delhi on 2-4 October 2009, BLP made several notable contributions through invited lectures and proffered papers.
• IAL released its first Text Book on Leprosy in which three chapters were written by the staff of BLP.
• IAL honored Dr R Ganapati, Director Emeritus BLP by decorating him with “Life Time Achievement Award”. Dr RK Srivatsava, Director General Health Services, Govt of India gave away the Award with a Citation (attached) and a Memento (see below). Dr VM Katoch, Director General ICMR and Secretary Health Research Govt of India, Dr Ben Naafs, Leprosy Expert from Netherlands and the luminaries and leprologists applauded BLP for its achievement.
• Dr Ganapati and / or Dr VV Pai are also scheduled to participate in the International Leprosy Conference in Kazhikstan this month and are also expected to take a leading part in the Dermatology Conferences in Bombay, Ahmedabad and Lucknow in the coming months.

• These engagements indeed symbolize the Crowning Glory of the tireless, unparalleled and almost superhuman efforts put in by a very small group of workers and doctors for over 3 decades under able leadership.

P.S : It was an irony that the 33rd Anniversary of such an internationally recognized NGO with such unquestionable scientific credibility was also marked by the highly disturbing news that the German Leprosy Relief Association (GLRA) which has been offering financial support to BLP all these years announced an abrupt withdrawal of funds with effect from 31st December 2009. There is a lurking fear that the institution may no more be able to function with the same degree of enthusiasm.

It is hoped that all those well-wishers and donors will come to the rescue of BLP to maintain its high standards of research as well as humanitarian activities as usual.

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“The rich in India must worry more about the poorest, the underdogs……I am not suggesting a sea change (for the rich)…from being Henry Ford to becoming Mahatma Gandhi…But every Indian citizen needs to be more concerned about the poorest and the most deprived sections of our society”.
---Nobel Laureate Amarthya Sen

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CITATION

Indian Association of leprologists
Life time Achievement Award
To
Padmashree Dr RamasWamy Ganapati

The Indian Association of Leprologists takes great pleasure to honor Padmashree Dr. Ramaswamy Ganapati of Mumbai with Life Time Achievement Award for his untiring research work for the cause of suffering humanity affected by leprosy. Dr Ganapati is one of the most active leprologists of mother India who had dedicated his whole life towards the community socio medical care service for the leprosy sufferers.

Presently Dr Ganapati is the Director Emeritus of Bombay Leprosy Project and the Chairman of Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, Maharashtra Branch. Vice President of Society for the Eradication of Leprosy (SEL). Acworth Leprosy Hospital Society for Research, Rehabilitation and Education in Leprosy. (ALH RRE Society),

He was the President of Indian Association of Leprologists from 1987-89 (earlier Vice President and Hony. Secretary), Maharashtra State Branch of Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists, (earlier Vice President and Treasurer), Chairman of Rehabilitation Committee, Maharashtra, Vice President of Indian Society for the Rehabilitation of the Handicapped, Western Zone. Consultant of Technical Support Team of German Leprosy Relief Association (GLRA) to assist NLEP in Gujrat.

He was the Member of WHO Expert Advisory panel on Leprosy., Governing Body of Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Physically Handicapped (VRC)., National Leprosy Eradication Commission., Gavai Committee of Govt. of Maharashtra.

He was the Consultant Leprologist (WHO/Govt. of India): from 1986 to 1991, Special assignment (G.O.I./W.H.O) as Chairman & Member Independent Evaluation Team (IET) in 10 states (1991 to 1997).

Dr Ganapati Contributed over 200 article in various National and International Journals as well as Chapter in 12 Books. He published book: named “Leprosy a Glimpse at the Changing Scenario” in 1996.

Ramaswamy Participated in several State level National and International Conference, Workshops & Seminar, International Leprosy Congress; Mexico (1978); New Delhi (1984); The Hague (1988); Orlando (1993); Beijing (1998); Salvador, Brazil (2002), Hyderabad (2007). He had visited 26 Countries on Official assignments.

Dr Ganapati was decorated with Padmashri in 1983 by Govt. of India, Jalma Trust Fund Oration Award (ICMR) in 1987, ND Diwan Memorial Award (NASEOH)- (1989-90), Fr. Maschio Humanitarian Award in 1983, Indian Leprosy Foundation Award for Excellence in 1984, Award for Excellence by the Govt. of Maharashtra and IAL Maharashtra in 1997, Award for Outstanding Community Service by Rotary Club, Bombay 2002.

This august gathering of Indian Association of Leprologists along with the assembly of medical fraternity of this Capital City of Indian wishes Ramaswamy a CENTURIAN LIFE in all his future endeavours.

City Leprosy Project completes 33 Years of Service

At a simple but significant function, Bombay Leprosy Project (BLP) observed its Foundation day on 11-9-2009. It is on this day that the founder members met and formed the concept of Bombay Leprosy Project.

Dr R Ganapati, the Founder Director BLP and currently serving as the Director Emeritus mentioned that the institution was established with other leading members like Dr Wardekar and Dr P Kapoor and a few other stalwarts in leprosy as members of the committee. The object was to undertake field work on a massive scale to implement cost effective ways of controlling leprosy. . Documentation of several operational research studies published by BLP led to its recognition in the national and international circles. BLP is looked upon as a model to be emulated in similar situations.

Dr V V Pai Director BLP, while congratulating and thanking all the staff members for their contribution recalled the huge efforts in this journey of thirty three years despite several constraints, odds and difficulties. He mentioned that through collaborative efforts and integrated approach, the services to leprosy patients need to be further improved and continued. BLP’s collaboration with K J Somaiya Medical College has benefited in reaching specialized services to leprosy patients and is a model of collaborative activity.

Dr (Mrs) Rohini Shetye, Asst Professor, Dept of Ophthalmology, KJ Somaiya Medical College, the Chief Guest appreciated the leprosy relief work of BLP despite several challenges and encouraged that it should continue to reach many more leprosy patients.

Dr S Khanolkar, Asst Director BLP proposed the vote of thanks.
Medical Officers, Staff of BLP, Interns and leprosy patients formed the audience.

BLP News

Academic Meeting on

WHO Document on “Enhanced Strategy for Further reducing the Disease Burden 2011-2015”

To deliberate upon the new policies of WHO Enhanced strategy for further reducing the disease burden 2011-2015, an academic meeting was organized on Monday, 31-8-09
at the Main Referral Centre of Bombay Leprosy Project.

What are the new strategies? How are they different from the earlier ones? How services to patients can be further improved were some of the issues discussed at the meeting.

Dr Ankur an Intern from K J Somaiya Medical College initially highlighted the salient aspects of the policies related to epidemiological situation, improving the quality of services to patients, equity, social justice and human rights, drug resistance surveillance, chemoprophylaxis of leprosy and research priorities.

Dr Jeetendra another Intern from K J Somaiya Medical College related the statistics and the trends of leprosy indicators as published in the WHO Weekly epidemiological report 2009.

Dr R Ganapati Director Emeritus, BLP mentioned that WHO has rightly stressed again on the importance of the main indicators for monitoring progress such as the rate of new cases detected and the rate of new cases with grade 2 disabilities per 100,000 population. it is not clear as to how identification of early neuritis and reactions as well as prevention of progression of grade 1 to grade2 can be put in practice in an integrated set-up. The disease burden contributed by patients developing new disability either during MDT or after completion of MDT is important. This calls for operational research.

Dr V V Pai Director BLP, pointed out that it is significant that WHO has highlighted the data on global relapses and particularly with reference to India. The paramedical workers are also asked to report on the number of reactions and relapses in their routine reporting format and this will now help to get an idea of the magnitude of the problem.
Post graduate students from the city medical colleges, Interns, senior faculty members from the Dept of PSM of medical colleges and Medical Officers and Paramedical workers formed the audience.

Specialized Leprosy Services in BMC
Hospital started

Bombay Leprosy Project (BLP) made a break through in integrating its specialized services into the municipal health delivery system. On Tuesday,11th August,2009, yet another “Extension Center” of BLP was started at the Shatabdi Hospital , Borivali to cater to the large number of patients from northern suburbs seeking expertise of staff with vast experience in leprosy.

Dr Vyas, Chief Medical Officer of the hospital , while inaugurating the center welcomed the partnership of BMC with NGOs like BLP and said that it will strengthen the integrated approach for health delivery which is the current policy of BMC.

Dr R Ganapati of BLP the veteran leprologist said that with the unmanageable number of patients thronging BLP’s main referral center in Chunabhatti, the Borivili clinic will provide the much needed relief. There is a dire need for such services to cater to the population in north Mumbai.

Dr VV Pai, Director, BLP and his dedicated colleagues who labored for long to establish this center thanked Dr Vyas for his progressive ideas in offering specialized services to the leprosy sufferers in the general OPD of his hospital.

Times of India, Bombay times news

With compliments

From

Dr R Ganapati

LEPROSY NGO OBESERVES WORLD DISABLED DAY

Bombay Leprosy Project (BLP) has been practicing the concept of observing the World Disabled Day (WDD) and not only World Leprosy Day and Anti leprosy Week with the same enthusiasm as this is more relevant as leprosy is being integrated with general health services and rehabilitation services.

Rehabilitation of leprosy affected and physically challenged is a long time endeavour of BLP which has been undertaken in collaboration with allied agencies and philanthropists.

At a simple function on 3-12-08 at its Main Referral Centre, BLP observed the WDD by providing aids and appliances to the needy leprosy affected person and a young physically challenged boy.

Mr A P Deshpande, Hon Secretary, Marathi Vidnyan Parishad and Member of BLP distributed a sewing machine to a leprosy cured patient with deformity of the eyes staying in Dharavi slum and a wheel chair to a young boy with paralysis of all the limbs also a resident of Dharavi slum. He mentioned that such integrated approach practiced by BLP will go a long way in eliminating stigma in the society.

Dr V V Pai, Director BLP mentioned that under its rehabilitation programme besides engaging leprosy affected and physically challenged individuals in assisting the leprosy relief work, BLP has also been providing aids and appliances to physically challenged individuals to improve their quality of life.Mr S Hoval, Manager BLP thanked the gathering.

Bombay Leprosy Project celebrates Children’s Day

Bombay Leprosy Project (BLP) working for the welfare of leprosy patients is supporting a Slum Children Literacy Class (SCLC) since October 2004 for the children affected by leprosy along with street children in an integrated manner.
SCLC is sponsored by SURDEEP an NGO from Japan with focus on child education.

Children’s day is a special day for the children. Children’s Day is observed on 14th November as the date marks the birth anniversary of legendary freedom fighter and India’s first Prime Minister – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. As a tribute to Nehru and his love for children, Children’s Day is celebrated on his birth date. This day reminds to renew the commitment to the welfare of children and teach them to live by Nehru’s quality and dream.

To commemorate this day, 50 children from the class were given sweets in a small program organized in the SCLC at Acworth Municipal Hospital Complex where the class is functioning. School bags and stationeries were gifted by BLP to all the children. Dr (Ms) S M Bhat, Senior Medical Officer from Acworth Municipal Hospital for Leprosy distributed the gifts. Dr V.V. Pai, Director, BLP, Sister Seraphine of Monsoon and Sunshine class, Mrs Pai, Field Officer, BLP and Mr Subhash, Manager, BLP thanked the Acworth Municipal Hospital for Leprosy of Bombay Municipal Corporation for helping in the activity.