The Cutting Edge An Evidence-Led Approach

In this issue of Lepra News, we look at three of Lepra’s current research projects, which are helping to improve the quality of care for vulnerable communities in India, Bangladesh and beyond.

Throughout our 99 year history, Lepra have been at the forefront of research into new and innovative approaches to the detection, treatment and support for people affected by leprosy.

As an NGO dedicated to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), Lepra is proud to be part of a family of specialist partner NGOs, dedicated to providing holistic care for some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Under the banner of the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP), Lepra and partner NGOs are bringing together expertise in research and person-centred care to simultaneously enhance services and create evidence on what works best in community care

Current research methods and programme design, places great important ethical consideration, but also leads to the development of programmes and practices which are more sustainable in the long-term.

In this spirit, Lepra and our partners at Canadian charity Effect Hope and German charity GLRA (German Leprosy & TB Relief Association) are embarking on a new research project in 2023 called UPLIFT – ‘Unlocking the Potential of Leprosy & NTD affected people, to pursue Inclusive, Fulfilling and Transformational lives, through a harmonized Community Based Group model’.

Over a three-year period, the partnership aims to undertake a detailed study of the function of community-based organisations, focusing on India, Bangladesh and Ethiopia. Together we will try to identify what kind of communitybased groups prosper the most,

With 1-in-2 people affected by neglected tropical diseases experiencing moderate to severe anxiety or depression, UPLIFT will introduce peer counselling to half of the community-based organisations, chosen at random. This will give our mental health intervention a scientific base when measuring its added impact on health-seeking behaviour and, downstream, on physical and psycho-social outcomes.

The overall aim of the study is to develop a best-practice model for community-based groups and self-care in the widest sense. Once formed on bestpractice principles, they can be adapted to different contexts, and implemented in any community affected by neglected tropical diseases, anywhere.

This will ultimately give hope for an engaged, self-sufficient community with a lasting impact