Leprosy Patients Relief Fund

Dr R Ganapati.
Director Emeritus : Bombay Leprosy Project.
(Formerly)
Director / President : Bombay Leprosy Project.
Chairman : Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, Maharashtra Branch.
Vice President : Society for the Eradication of Leprosy.
Acworth Leprosy Hospital Society for Research
Rehabilitation and Education in Leprosy
Member : WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Leprosy (1991-2000)
_____________________________________________________________

DO YOU WANT US TO REACH SERVICES TO LEPR0SY PATIENTS DIRECTLY THROUGH YOUR DONATION?

Bombay Leprosy Project has implemented a totally Novel and Unique Scheme called

“LEPROSY PATIENTS RELIEF FUND”

Funds are not used for institutional maintenance or to meet administrative overhead expenses like rentals, vehicles, computers, stationery, electricity, telephone charges etc.
Money is entirely used for medical treatment, disability care, hospitalization, rehabilitation of a few selected patients plus incentives for those who provide services directly or indirectly
Our target of “pooled” funds in the 1st phase is US $ 25,000 (about Rs 10 lakhs).
Since May ‘07 more than 200 patients in slums and rural areas have received services. We fall far too short of the target set for the 1st phase, considering our access to innumerable patients to be brought under the new scheme.
For donors genuinely concerned about the human rights of leprosy patients, this is a golden opportunity.
Patients need your support. Please help us to help them

I have already made a personal commitment to donate Rs 1 lakh (nearly US $ 2,500.00) to BLP in installments.


Dr R Ganapati

PS: Cheque to be drawn in favor of Bombay Leprosy Project The amount will be utilized towards the specific purpose as mentioned above in consultation with the Director, BLP. ___________________________________________________________
*The Project is registered under the Societies Registration Act. (1860); Maharashtra State; Reg. No. Bom. 345/1976 GBBSD and under the Bombay Public Trusts Act. 1950 Reg. No. F-4158 (Bom.) & FCRA (1976)
*Donations are exempted from Income-Tax under section 80G (1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961
Cheques / Demand Drafts may be drawn in favour of “BOMBAY LEPROSY PROJECT”
* Donors in USA can claim Tax Exemption under Section 501(C) 3, by routing the donation through Partners in Sharing Associates, 506 West Country Club Lane, Wallingford, PA 19086 6509 Tel: (610) 627 0504
Email: shashi@gholkars.com / info@gholkars.com

NGO Observes Foundation Day

At a simple but significant function Bombay Leprosy Project (BLP) observed its Foundation Day on 11th September 2007 to commemorate the birth of the concept of the Project 31 years back. The day assumes importance as it was on this day when its Founder member Dr R Ganapati and other like minded members decided to implement this concept.

Ms Y Nishimura, from Surdeep an NGO in Japan along with her team who were the Guests at the function lauded the efforts of BLP for the collaborative initiatives in taking pains for the Project’s success. She assured of continued support particularly towards education of street children. Dr R Ganapati, Director Emeritus, recalled the dedicated efforts by the founder members and all the staff of BLP for their contributions in sustaining the activities of the project despite manpower and financial constraints.

Dr V V Pai, Director highlighted how collaborative ventures between BLP and the people and well wishers in Japan have been instrumental in not only understanding of the disease but to serve the patients at large.

On this occasion community volunteers were felicitated with cash incentives for their excellence in leprosy work.

Medical Officers, Senior supervisory and administrative staff, field staff participated in the function.

Community Volunteer Mr Patro receives cash incentive from Ms Nishimura
Ms Nishimura being felicitated by Ms Parul Negi of BLP

BLP News August 2007

BLP NEWS - 2007

Seminar on “Complications in Leprosy”

Bombay Leprosy Project, in collaboration with Ghatkopar-Chembur Dermatology Club, organized an academic meeting on 19th Aug 2007, to discuss the Pathogenesis of Leprosy and Reactions in Leprosy.

Dr W S Bhatki, a senior Leprologist, delivered a lecture on the subject as the clinicians face mainly problems of diagnosis and management of complications.

Dr R Ganapati, Director Emeritus of BLP, who chaired the session, stressed the importance of keeping the suspected cases under observation in case of doubt. He emphasized on the significance of adequate and optimum duration of steroid to be administered to prevent nerve function impairment. He said that in BLP’s Referral Center nearly 350 patients with Reaction and Neuritis were treated over the last 2 ½ years.

Dr Pai highlighted that a drug like Thalidomide, has benefited 120 patients with recurrent Type II reaction, referred to BLP over a period of two years.
Dr Ganapati said that 30,480 capsules were used; the cost of drugs alone would have been Rs 12,19,200/-. The amount was raised from donations or the drugs received as gift. He also requested the dermatologists to refer patients for free treatment with thalidomide to the Referral Centre of Bombay Leprosy Project, provided there is an indication.

Dr N G Nagpur, Prof and Head, Dept of Dermatology, KJSMC who earlier introduced Dr Ganapati to the audience enquired about the difficulties in managing patients with recurrences of reactions on tapering of steroids.

Senior practicing Dermatologists, Dermatologists attached to the medical colleges, experts from the field of Leprosy, Public health specialists and Post Graduate students from the city medical colleges, actively participated in the Seminar.

Academic publications from BLP were distributed to the PG students and all members who attended.

BLP News May 2007

BLP News March 2007

Bombay Leprosy Project

Bombay Leprosy Project in its pursuit to reach quality services under its Care and Prevention of disability programme to leprosy patients organized a small community programme in collaboration with Lions Club of Oyster on 15-3-07 at Juhu.

Service Clubs like Lions Club with their deep sense of commitment to the deprived sections of the society came forward to provide aids and appliances to needy leprosy patients with disability. Bombay Leprosy Project has been trying to strengthen the referral services to several patients thronging its Referral Centre and the satellite clinics, referred by practicing clinicians, medical colleges and other units for expertise and management

In continuance with its endeavor to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from disability due to leprosy and its consequences, BLP in partnership with Lions Club provided Micro Cellular Rubber (MCR) footwear to needy leprosy patients. 15 leprosy patients were the beneficiaries.

The MCR footwear distribution was inaugurated by Governor Mr Pankaj Mehta and their associates Mrs Sita Rathi and Mrs Tusar Mehta and they distributed the foot wear to patients from BLP. Sponsors were from Gunjan Club.


Mrs Parul Negi, Resource Mobilisation Officer, BLP proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of BLP.
BLP is thankful to Lion’s Club of Oyster, Juhu, for its kind contribution towards this humanitarian cause. Such help from partners will go a long way in improving the life of those benefited by the programme.

Festive Greetings

Bombay Leprosy Project wishes every one a Happy Raksha Bandhan. May the sacred relationship of brothers and sisters strengthen for better humanity.

BLP family wishes everyone a happy time.

Dr. V.V.Pai
Director
Bombay Leprosy Project

http://www.bombayleprosy.org/