Activating and engaging partnerships to reduce leprosy in Bangladesh (AEP) -The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh (TLMIB) Project

Despite having remarkable success in leprosy control worldwide in the last decades, the Bangladesh government is now moving forward with a mission to build a leprosy-free country. In 2017, our government revised the Bangladesh Leprosy Control Strategy for 2016-2020- ‘accelerating towards a leprosy-free Bangladesh’ – in line with the Global Leprosy Strategy 2016-2020. Leprosy continues to be a stigmatized condition deeply embedded in society. Socially marginalized groups such as women and the urban poor are less likely to seek medical attention. The Bangladesh government in cooperation with NGOs is implementing a National Leprosy Elimination Program (NLEP). Different policies, action plans and measures have been taken at the national level to promote awareness of the issue of discrimination against leprosy affected persons and their family members.

Leprosy is a devastating disease which affects the nerves, leading to physical disabilities such as blindness, loss of limbs, loss of sensation, clawed hands etc. Those suffering from leprosy are typically marginalized even after treatment due to the stigma and physical impairments. The Leprosy Mission International-Bangladesh (TLMIB) is the leading NGO that is working in this field under the banner of the National Leprosy Elimination Program (NLEP). TLMIB is implementing AEP- a partnership project across the country. The AEP project’s goal is to provide 360-degree integrated leprosy services, by which it means comprehensive and holistic interventions. The AEP integrates principles such as sustainability, empowered partnerships, cost effective operations, mainstreaming back into society and overall quality. The essence of this approach is to engage in working partnerships with local people such as government health workers and local officials, local civil society organizations, media, educational institutions and communities affected by leprosy. As a partner NGO of TLMIB, CSS has been implementing this project to detect people affected by leprosy and ensure quality treatment and rehabilitation for them. At the same time the project team is working to educate people of their rights and entitlements.