Registered Charity No 213251
Background
LEPRA has published a quarterly scientific journal called Leprosy Review
since 1928, aimed at contributing towards a better understanding of leprosy.
In its early years, LEPRA pioneered the medical treatment of leprosy patients through the use of Chaulmoogra oil and in 1931 was recognised at the International Congress in Manila as the first 'leprosy prevention organisation'.
In 1961, Dr Stanley Browne, a member of LEPRA's medical committee, conducted trials of a new drug Clofazimine which proved to be a powerful anti-leprosy drug and was also found to have anti-inflammatory activity.
In 1974, LEPRA became one of the first associations to introduce multidrug therapy (MDT), a combination of Dapsone, Clofazimine and Rifampicin, at field level for all patients with lepromatous leprosy.
LEPRA India cured its 100,000th patient in 1995.
The results of LEPRA's Karonga vaccine trial were published in 1996. These showed that two BCG vaccinations could provide up to 85% protection against leprosy infection.
In 1997, LEPRA transferred responsibility for the National Leprosy Control Programme in Malawi to the National Skin Diseases Programme after successfully reducing the number of registered patients from approximately 30,000 in 1965 to less than a thousand when the programme was transferred.
Vision
A world in which leprosy has been eradicated and the suffering and pain it causes
are prevented and relieved.
Mission
LEPRA is a medical development charity which works to restore health, hope
and dignity to people affected by leprosy.
We provide:-
Medical treatment to cure leprosy
Management of other health problems affecting people with leprosy, their families
and communities
Social and economic rehabilitation programmes
Method of Operation
LEPRA undertakes a holistic approach to leprosy and as well as our own projects
we work with, and support, other non-governmental organisations. With our trained
teams of paramedics and health workers, we seek out and treat those affected,
we enable them to care and provide for themselves, and we educate the community
to encourage people with leprosy to come forward, and to remove the social stigma
attached to leprosy.
LEPRA also continue our medical research into leprosy – working to provide
a better understanding about the disease and possible new treatments and vaccinations.
History
In 1924 the British Empire Leprosy Relief Association was formed with the boldly
stated aim "to rid the Empire of leprosy". It was set up as a medical
organisation to spearhead outpatient work instead of the traditional segregatory
methods and to foster research into all aspects of the disease.
Royal patronage has always been important to the Association and the 1950's saw King George VI sponsor two Nigerian children through the adoption scheme then in existence. This period also saw the removal of the word 'Empire' from the name and the first use of 'LEPRA'.
In the 1960s, LEPRA began operations in Malawi and in the UK, television and radio appeals were a significant source of income. A documentary film on LEPRA's work in India, "The Name of the Cloud is Ignorance" won awards at the Venice Film Festival and at the XIX International Film Festival.
LEPRA celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1999 with Her Majesty The Queen presenting prizes for the 'Quest for Dignity' art competition.