LEPRA is a non-governmental organisation that promotes quality health care, initiates and fosters new developments and implementation.
Our history dates back to 1925, when the British Empire Leprosy Relief Association (BELRA) started leprosy work in India. LEPRA was established in Hyderabad in 1989, as a partner of Lepra UK, to serve the needs of people affected by leprosy.
LEPRA focused specifically on supporting the government of India’s National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) in Hyderabad. Leprosy control activities were carried out according to a Survey, Education and Treatment (SET) strategy in which identifying all patients living in an area, by means of case finding methods like mass, contact and school surveys, and treating them with multi-drug therapy (MDT) was the prime objective.
In addition to our focus areas leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF), LEPRA also works with TB, HIV/AIDS, eye-care, malaria and disabilities arising from other diseases.
LEPRA focuses health improvement activities in the community that are marginalised or poor, especially women and children, young people, slum populations and migrants affected by the above mentioned diseases and tries to bring about positive changes in their life-style.
Operations were later extended to other areas of Telangana and other Indian states including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Delhi. Currently, we are operating in 10 states with 19 referral centres and over 400 staff.
Established in 1989, LEPRA is an independent not-for-profit NGO, with no religious, ideological or political affiliation. The Management Committee formulates policies which are implemented by the Chief Executive of the organisation.
LEPRA registered as LEPRA Society under the Andhra Pradesh (Telangana areas) Public Societies’ Act 1350 Fasli (Act of 1350 F) No 474 on 22nd February 1989. It works in close coordination with the Government of India, Ministry of Health, and Family Welfare, at the Central, State and district levels. It is a member of the State leprosy and TB societies of the Government of Andhra Pradesh & Orissa.
Registered under section 12A of the Income Tax Act and has also been granted exemption certificates under sections 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961 and permitted to accept foreign contributions by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Recognised as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO), by the Government of India, Ministry of Science, and Technology, for the research activities being carried out by its research wing, the Blue Peter Public Health & Research Centre (BPHRC).
Exempt from payment of import duty for eligible donated supplies from approved donor organizations as per the order issued by the government of India, Ministry of Welfare.
We are a part of the worldwide Lepra network based in UK which is a member of International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Association (ILEP).