PEOPLE AFFECTED BY LEPROSY IN ANURADHAPURA

Regional health department of Anuradhapura requested help for 70 patients who are badly affected by leprosy. However, ICI elected 20 patients out of the 70, due to financial constraints, to provide transport to clinics for a period of one year and elected 15 patients, who are below poverty line to provide nutritious food over a period of one year.

The primary goal of ICI is rehabilitation and restoration of these individuals to maximum physical wellbeing for an active life and ensure that they have equal opportunities with families and their community.

Leprosy patients go through strong multi drugs medical treatment. During the treatment, over a period of one year, due to the strength of the drugs, patients grow lethargic and their immune system is weakened. The patient needs to eat healthy nutritious food to stabilize, sustain and strengthen their system to live their day to day life. To boost the immune system, they need intake of highly nutritious non-rice foods such as meat, fish, milk, eggs, fruits and vegetables. Diet supply of the nutritious food is the most vital factor in leprosy.

Recent studies revealed that food shortage was associated with leprosy. It was confirmed that there is a relation between socioeconomic factors and leprosy. Inadequate intake of nutrients due to food shortage affect the immune system and influence the progression of infection to clinical leprosy.

As we know, in Sri Lanka, low income families cannot afford to spend money on basic healthy food.

Total cost for the support needed over 12 months would be Rs 350,000, equivalent to AUS$3,000. ICI would be donating $300 per month to make a difference for these patients and their families.

If you would like to be part of supporting these beautiful people, you can make a donation. Your donation through ICI is a tax-deductible gift and ICI will provide you with a tax invoice for this purpose.

Total Cost: $3,000

Received to date: $200

Balance needed: $2,800