Tele-Consultation as a method of reaching leprosy colonies

Despite its high GDP, India has one of the world’s largest numbers of impoverished people, with over 300 million people living in poverty. Aside from pervasive poverty and stark inequality, India has the world’s largest number of leprosy cases, with over 120,000 cases reported in 2019.

India was officially proclaimed leprosy-free in 2005 when the new cases dropped to less than 1 per 10,000 (as per WHO standards), the country still has the highest number of leprosy patients in the world. In 2020, India accounted for 51% of all new cases of leprosy diagnosed.

INDIAN SCENARIO OF LEPROSY

Despite its high GDP, India has one of the world’s largest numbers of impoverished people, with over 300 million people living in poverty. Aside from pervasive poverty and stark inequality, India has the world’s largest number of leprosy cases, with over 120,000 cases reported in 2019.

India was officially proclaimed leprosy-free in 2005 when the new cases dropped to less than 1 per 10,000 (as per WHO standards), the country still has the highest number of leprosy patients in the world. In 2020, India accounted for 51% of all new cases of leprosy diagnosed.

eNext ICU is trying to improve India’s situation by providing tele medicine services in India. We strongly believe in innovation in Healthcare Services, Telemedicine Services and TeleICU Services in India are at the core of our belief. Through TeleICU Services, we provide expert critical care services to remote areas 24x7x365 using digital technology & innovation. If you look for the best tele medicine in India then you can rely on eNext ICU.

DISCRIMINATION:

In Indian society, poor people with leprosy have suffered discrimination and ostracism from their families, friends, societies, and healthcare professionals. There are many misconceptions, socio-cultural beliefs, and stigmas associated with leprosy. Because of the worries of spreading the disease, most leprosy centers are isolated from society. Their basic survival is frequently dependent on others’ goodwill. Many Indian states forbid leprosy sufferers from competing in local elections and deny them employment opportunities and benefits. Even if they do not have the disease, simply living near a leper colony disqualifies them from seeking jobs or being admitted to schools.

UNAVAILABILITY OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES:

The majority of healthcare facilities and other resources are only available in metropolitan areas, leaving the rural people with little access. Leprosy communities reside in rural areas of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal & Odisha where these communities lack access to diagnostic facilities leaving many leprosy cases undiagnosed and uncured.

COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH LEPROSY

It is unlikely that leprosy will cause lasting damage if treated early. However, if left untreated, the condition worsens and the nerve damage spreads. People with leprosy might harm themselves because they lack feeling in their hands and feet. Ulcers, infection, and chronic disability can all result from these injuries. There were cases in leprosy colonies where patients were having untreated ulcers and infections from the last 8-10 years which worsens the patient’s condition and sometimes resulted in amputation.

INITIATIVE TOWARDS LEPROSY ERADICATIONS-ILF (SASAKAWA – INDIA LEPROSY FOUNDATION) is a Non- Governmental Organization (NGO) with a mission, “To end stigma against the disease and ensure equal social, economic and cultural opportunities to those affected by leprosy and their families”.

S-ILF collaborates with eNext ICU (a telemedicine service provider) for TELE-OPD CONSULTATIONS where Critical care specialists from eNext ICU are remotely available for consults every day. Language is the most significant impediment to seamless Tele- OPD consults, where an S-ILF coordinator serves as a translator for both critical care professionals and the leprosy community.

IMPACT

In coordination with the S-ILF team, the Tele-OPD and COVID Tele OPD consults were conducted by the eNext ICU team in various leprosy colonies: In Maharashtra such as Swadhar Nagar Leprosy Colony, Kolhapur; Pandurangwadi Leprosy Colony, Amravati; Lokmata Indira Nagar Leprosy Colony, Amravati. In Jharkhand, Nai Dunia Leprosy colony Jhariya, Dhanbad and In Odisha, Indira Leprosy Colony, Jharsuguda; Nadikhani Colony, Bargarh.

A RAY OF HOPE

This effort offers a glimpse of hope to the leprosy

community, which has been stigmatized for not receiving

treatment and has been described as an isolated society.

An article by Simranjeet Kaur