About LEPRA Health in Action

We work with some of the most disadvantaged people in the world to provide treatment and care, and restore dignity and hope

Around 300,000 are diagnosed with leprosy every year. 

£25 can help to cure somebody of leprosy.

Leprosy is a micro bacterium which thrives wherever there is extreme poverty. India, with over 78 percent of the world's leprosy cases, is the most endemic country on earth and is home to several LEPRA projects (principally in the states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh).

LEPRA currently works in 9 countries, across 3 continents. 

LEPRA's leprosy control work is conducted on many levels. From diagnosing the disease and administering the simple drug therapy which cures it, to running extensive information campaigns and providing rehabilitation and physiotherapy to people affected by the disease, the charity provides assistance wherever it is needed most.

More and more, the focus is on sustainability; teaching people how to recognise the disease and how to fight it themselves. LEPRA views this as an essential part of its work and a lot of emphasis continues to be placed on its information, education and communication work.

More and more, LEPRA is also bringing its expertise to bear on other health issues that affect impoverished communities. In many cases, (paticularly in India and Bangladesh) the charity runs joint leprosy/TB programmes and it has also expanded to work on HIV/AIDS and lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) projects.

The eradication of leprosy remains the charity's prime focus but where a number of diseases threaten the same community, it makes financial (and moral) sense for LEPRA to help them if it can.