A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of India and ILEP Members active in India was signed by Dr. P.L. Joshi, DDG (Leprosy) and Dr. G. Rajan Babu, ILEP Co-ordinator-India (Representative) on 24th October 2007. The MoU was signed in presence of Mr. Debasish Panda, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health, Government of India; Mr. Rigo Peeters, President of ILEP; Dr. P. Krishnamurthy, Secretary, Damien Foundation India Trust; and Dr. D.M. Thorat, DADG (Leprosy).

This Memorandum of Understanding provides the formal framework for collaboration between the Government of India and ILEP Members active in India for the period starting from the date of signing the MoU to 31st March 2012.

The guiding principles of ILEP support to the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) are:  

• sustaining quality leprosy control activities (in line with the WHO Global Strategy);


• ensuring ownership of the programme by the general health care system; and


• synergizing resources for efficient leprosy control.

The major emphasis of the MoU is on the thematic areas of support to build the capacity of the General Health Care system to carry out quality leprosy services in an integrated approach and to sustain leprosy control activities. The thematic areas of support include strengthening the planning, monitoring and supervision (including disease surveillance); support to Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (including the referral system); operational research and socio-economic rehabilitation and community participation. Each state government will draw an action plan with the ILEP State Co-ordinator of the respective state in consultation with all the ILEP partners working in the state, describing the objectives of the collaboration, respective responsibilities and contributions.

At the national level, support is provided in the form of provision of a National Consultant (DPMR), a Data Entry clerk and office assistance; production of leaning material on DPMR; support to the State Leprosy Officers' Review Meeting; developing the NLEP website; developing a strategic document on behavioural change communications and provision of technical inputs for independent evaluations of the NLEP.     

Dr Gadde Rajan Babu, ILEP Co-ordinator, India, E-mail: rajan.babu@tlmindia.org 

 

 

Category: India, International Collaboration