ILEP India, Delhi (2026)

07/01/2026

ILEP India is pleased to announce Nikita Sarah as the new ILEP India Coordinator, effective 2026.

From 2026, The Leprosy Mission Trust India (TLMTI) will serve as the coordinating agency for ILEP India.
Nikita brings over 30 years of professional experience, including 15 years in the development sector, and has been a committed advocate for people affected by leprosy through her leadership at The Leprosy Mission Trust India. Known for her strategic thinking and human-centred approach, she has consistently worked to amplify lived experiences, strengthen partnerships, and advance rights-based, stigma-free responses to leprosy.
As a consortium of 9 global NGOs working collectively to support India’s journey towards zero leprosy, ILEP India—coordinated by The Leprosy Mission Trust India— plays a critical convening and influencing role—aligning civil society voices, strengthening collaboration with government and WHO-led initiatives, and supporting the National Strategic Plan for Leprosy (2023–27).
In her new role, Nikita will lead ILEP India’s coordination and collective action, strengthening its visibility, coherence, and impact across policy, advocacy, and programmatic engagement—while reinforcing ILEP India’s role as a trusted partner in India’s leprosy ecosystem.
“It is a privilege to serve ILEP India at a pivotal moment for the leprosy response in India. ILEP India represents the power of collective action—where global solidarity, national leadership, and lived experience come together. Our mission is clear: to combine our collective expertise to dismantle the barriers of stigma and disease. By fostering innovation and deepening our collaboration with the government and local stakeholders, we can truly achieve a leprosy-free India.”
— Nikita Sarah
We look forward to Nikita’s leadership as ILEP India continues to connect, convene, and catalyse action—working together with government, civil society, and communities to eliminate leprosy and the stigma associated with it.

15/12/2025

On 3 December, ILEP India conducted a on the topic “Establishing LRCs within GHC setup and linkages”, led by Rajeev Dudhalkar, Former Head of IEC at ALERT-India, Mumbai.

He explained how LRCs function as secondary-level units within the public health system to strengthen early diagnosis, quality care, and referral pathways for persons affected by leprosy. The presentation highlighted the integration of Slit Skin Smear (SSS) testing under IPHS 2022, the roles of NLEP, district health teams, and community workers, and the importance of building capacity across the health system.

Moreover, also discussed diagnostic protocols, identification of lepra reactions, case findings through case study from the field, and the need for strong referral systems between primary, secondary, and tertiary care. He emphasised disability prevention, long-term care, rehabilitation, and promoting community awareness through effective IEC to improve outcomes and reduce stigma.

10/12/2025

On 8 December 2025, organised the , which was attended by the CEOs of the ILEP India member organisations. The meeting aimed to provide an overview of ILEP India’s 2025 activity plan, review progress and key challenges, explore potential stakeholder contributions, and further strengthen collaboration and partnerships. In addition, the meeting included deliberations on the 2026 action plan, focusing on strategic directions and initiatives to further strengthen and sustain the collaborative efforts.

Aifo Inclusione e Cura Damien Foundation India Trust Fontilles Hope Rises International LEPRA Society The Leprosy Mission Trust GLRA India Fairmed India

24/11/2025

Anand's Journey from Despair to Dreams

11/11/2025

Join us on 3rd December 2025 at 3:00 PM IST for highly anticipated session on “Establishing LRC within the GHC Setup and Establishing Linkages.”
Speaker: Rajeev Bhau Dudhalkar, Former Head-IEC, ALERT-India, Mumbai,
Click the below link: https://meet.google.com/vqv-ryxd-nne
ILEP - Working together for a world free from leprosy Aifo Inclusione e Cura Damien Foundation India Trust Fontilles Fairmed India GLRA IndiaNLR India LEPRA Society The Leprosy Mission Trust India

11/11/2025

On 4th November, ILEP India conducted a Knowledge Sharing Session on the topic “Bridging Gaps in Leprosy Care: The Role of and in Odisha” led by Dr Rituparna Hota, ILEP–NLEP Consultant, Odisha (LEPRA Society), shared insights on the state’s approach to strengthening leprosy care through Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) and Reconstructive Surgery (RCS). Odisha currently reports a Grade 2 Disability (G2D) rate of over 2 per million population, highlighting the need for continued focus on disability prevention and early detection. The state is among the few where all District Hospitals conduct RCS regularly. Every district hospital and block community health centre has a designated DPMR clinic, and every Monday is observed as “Leprosy Day” to ensure structured DPMR service delivery.

Best practices highlighted during the session included well-defined referral mechanisms (CHC → DH → RCS centres), dedicated service days ensuring accessibility, consistent follow-up and support, and strong interdepartmental coordination and capacity building. These efforts together contribute to improving functional recovery, , and quality of life for persons affected by leprosy.

The session emphasised the importance of sustaining these efforts through regular follow-up, capacity building, and interdepartmental coordination to maintain functional outcomes and enhance the quality of care for persons affected by leprosy.

03/11/2025

Join us on 4th November 2025 at 3:00 PM IST for an insightful session on “Bridging Gaps in Leprosy Care: The Role of DPMR and Reconstructive Surgery in Odisha.”
Speaker: Dr. Rituparna Hota, ILEP-NLEP Consultant (Odisha), LEPRA Society

Click the below link:
https://meet.google.com/oks-izqk-soo?hs=224

ILEP - Working together for a world free from leprosy Aifo Inclusione e Cura Damien Foundation India Trust Fontilles Fairmed India GLRA India NLR India LEPRA Society The Leprosy Mission Trust India ILEP - Working together for a world free from leprosy

23/10/2025

The Latest Knowledge Sharing Session is scheduled on 4th November 2025 on "Bridging Gaps in Leprosy Care: The Role of DPMR and Reconstructive Surgery in Odisha" with Dr. Rituparna Hota, ILEP-NLEP Consultant (Odisha), Lepra Society at 3:00 PM IST.

Mark your calendar, hope to see you for this exciting session!

13/10/2025

September 29, 2025, we had an insightful knowledge-sharing session with Dr. Aashish Wagh (National Medical Advisor, GLRA India) on the Comprehensive perspective on Reconstructive Surgery ( ) in – from Clinical to Patient-centred dimensions.
The discussion highlighted how such as claw hand, foot drop, , and other deformities affect not only the physical outlook of the person affected but also their confidence, livelihood, and social acceptance.
RCS plays a vital role in nearly restoring normal function, improving the appearance of body parts, and further preventing secondary impairments, and enabling persons affected to reintegrate socially and economically.
A strong emphasis was laid on the role of pre- and post-operative , affected , and , without which surgery alone cannot deliver sustainable results. The session also highlighted patient challenges, including prolonged hospital stays, travel expenses, and loss of wages, which often hinder access to care.
From a programme perspective, the need for stronger referral systems, timely financial support, well-equipped physiotherapy units, and regular RCS camps, particularly in high-endemic states, was underlined.
is not just a surgery, but a pathway to , independence, and for people affected by leprosy.

Hope Rises International Aifo Inclusione e Cura Damien Foundation India Trust NLR India LEPRA Society The Leprosy Mission Trust India Emmaus Leprosy Relief Work India GLRA India World Health Organization (WHO)

17/09/2025

The ILEP Coordination Workshop for India was held virtually on 15th September 2025, organized by ILEP - Working together for a world free from leprosy, aimed to share information on new developments and identify opportunities for collectively supporting the national programme in the journey towards zero leprosy. The workshop brought together an esteemed group of participants, including Dr. Sunil V. Gitte (DDG Leprosy, Central Leprosy Division), Dr. Rashmi Shukla (NPO, WHO), Ms. Maya Ranavare (President, APAL), Geoff Warne (CEO), Brent Morgan (ILEP President/ International Director, The Leprosy Mission International), representatives from Sasakawa, and the CEOs of all ILEP India member organizations. Their presence highlighted the importance of collective commitment and collaboration to accelerate progress against leprosy in India.

Discussions brought diverse perspectives. Dr Sunil Gitte outlined India’s leprosy situation, key trends, and actions, while Dr. Rashmi Shukla shared the WHO perspective on outlining disease distribution, recent developments, and proposed ILEP’s future role in driving progress.
Ms. Maya Ranavare highlighted the major gaps that hinder progress in reducing the leprosy burden, emphasizing the need to address existing gaps in care and support while empowering communities to live with dignity and equality.

The ILEP India Country Coordinator presented ongoing activities and plans, while member CEOs highlighted initiatives, challenges, and opportunities. The workshop reinforced collective commitment, aligned strategies, and opened new avenues for strengthened partnerships, marking a significant step towards the shared goal of Zero Leprosy.

Aifo Inclusione e Cura Damien Foundation India Trust GLRA India Fontilles Fairmed India LEPRA Society The Leprosy Mission Trust India NLR India

09/09/2025

Join us for the most interesting session on "Comprehensive Perspectives on Reconstructive Surgery in Leprosy: From Clinical to Patient-Centered Dimensions" with Dr. Aashish Wagh, National Medical Advisor, GLRA India.

🗓️ Date: 29th September 2025
🕒 Time: 3:00 PM IST

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an expert in the field!

ILEP India

07/01/2026

15/12/2025

10/12/2025

24/11/2025

11/11/2025

11/11/2025

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