Bangladesh is one of the poorest and most densely populated countries in the world, and leprosy is a major health problem in many parts of it. 

The Leprosy Mission New Zealand has a long and strong partnership in the Chittagong Region, where leprosy continues to be a major health issue.  TLMNZ works in partnership and supports 3 projects in the area. 

1. Chittagong Integrated Leprosy Services and Stigma Reduction Project (CILSSRP)
2. Chittagong Sustainable Development Project (CSDP)
3. Chittagong Hill Tracts Programme

1. Chittagong Integrated Leprosy Services and Stigma Reduction Project (CILSSRP)

The Leprosy Mission Bangladesh (TLMB) has been working in the greater Chittagong District for more than fifteen years. During this time the number of people being diagnosed with leprosy has decreased each year.

The latest project was completed in December 2008. A full evaluation showed we were close to the elimination target of one in 10,000, but we still need to continue the work to achieve elimination. TLMB has been involved in the diagnosis and treatment of all the people with leprosy in Chittagong City and surrounding areas, but for long-term sustainability of leprosy services it is vital the local health services become involved. This project is designed to integrate leprosy services into the local health system by the end of 2013.

A special emphasis of the CILSSRP is to raise awareness. Great steps have been taken in previous projects to achieve this through the education of larger groups, and (for example) presentations to workers at the many textile factories and shipping yards that dot the city.  This method of raising awareness reaches large at-risk groups directly.

CILSSRP is encouraging the integration of government healthcare services with those of TLM.   This means sharing knowledge, and better coordinating and improving services for those in need. Awareness is increased by educating health professionals and the wider community about leprosy.  Another benefit of integrating government health care and specialised leprosy care is the reduction of stigma and discrimination which occurs through ignorance and separation.

The Bangladesh SEED Project Report section of this website has more specific information about this project.

Funding assisted by:

   SEED Partners
   Cure One   

To Make a donation towards The Leprosy Mission Work in Bangladesh: Donate Now     

2. Chittagong Sustainable Development Project (CSDP)

Nearly 3000 leprosy disabled people have been identified in the Chittagong District over the last ten years. 

Previous projects addressed the needs of people disabled by leprosy, and those with other disabilities, by encouraging the formation of self help groups. One hundred such groups were formed in the previous project and this one plans to add a further forty.

This project will also train members in group motivation and management and encourage the formation of one or more federations of self help groups. The federations will then be able to advocate more effectively on behalf of their members.  Although about 50 percent of the group members are women, the evaluation of the previous project suggests women do not benefit as much as they should and need more skills and leadership training.

The self help groups encourage savings and loan activities, self-care and integrated health care so that members can be empowered and dignity can be restored. 

CSDP also provides vocational training in usable and employable skills such as sewing and mechanics for both people affected by leprosy and, where appropriate, their children. Often people have been so disabled by leprosy that they can no longer work but their children, with training, can help provide for the family.

Micro Enterprise offers the opportunity to set up individual or co-operative businesses.  The self-sufficiency and the dignity this brings means that those affected by leprosy can finally become fully accepted members of their communities. Dignity and self-worth are priceless, and so far this project has helped hundreds of people find both.

The Bangladesh SEED Project Report section of this website has more specific information about this project. 

Funding assisted by:

 SEED Partners        
 NZAID KOHA programme       

To Make a donation towards The Leprosy Mission Work in Bangladesh: Donate Now

3. Chittagong Hill Tracts Programme

The Chittagong Hill Tracts are the most mountainous and least accessible region in Bangladesh. Besides the inaccessibility there are the challenges of working in a region where security is a particular issue because of the tensions between the indigenous tribal people of the Hill Tracts and migration of "lowlanders" from other parts of Bangladesh. There are also religious issues, as the tribal people are predominately Buddhist and the lowlanders Muslim. There is also a significant Christian element, mainly among the tribal peoples.

TLMB started work in the Hill Tracts in 2000. The present project started in 2008 and has a strong focus on education, raising awareness about leprosy and other infectious diseases.  Teaching and upskilling local partners will ensure its sustainability and lessen stigma and discrimination decrease.

Participation is the byword here. All decision-making, management  and benefit distributions involve the communities, minorities, women, people affected by leprosy, and those with disability. Participatory projects help empower people and reduce stigma.

 The Bangladesh SEED Project Report section of this website has more specific information about this project.

Funding assisted by:

 SEED Partners        
 NZAID KOHA programme   

To Make a donation towards The Leprosy Mission Work in Bangladesh: Donate Now