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NGOs fighting leprosy to get Rs.2K
for every patient
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Govt increases
aid by over 400% to boost morale of NGOs working in the
field
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In a recent government resolution (GR), the state health department announced a hike in the renumerations given to NGOs rehabilitating leprosy patients, making applicable the revised rate of Rs2,000 for every patient. Until now, NGOs were being paid only Rs450 for the rehabilitation of every leprosy patient. Further, according to the GR, NGOs working with recognised hospitals that admit leprosy patients and provide full-time care will be paid Rs2,200 per month as against the earlier Rs480 that they were receiving for food, lodging and medical expenses. In Mumbai, there are seven NGOs presently working for the rehabilitation of leprosy patients. Welcoming the move, Dr Amita Pednekar, chief medical officer, Acworth Leprosy hospital, who has been working in this field for several years now, said, “Though our hospital doesn’t benefit from the newly announced scheme, my experience tells me that it was long-pending decision and will certainly boost the morale of the NGOs working towards better care of the leprosy afflicted.” Sources in the state leprosy division say, low remuneration and inability to match costs of patients with the available resources, apart from inflation, as the main reason for agencies dropping out of the state-aided programme. Maharashtra’s joint director (leprosy) Dr Pradip Gaikwad said, “I hope we will get more NGOs to join us now as the funds have now been hiked.” The increasing prevalence of leprosy in urban areas has emerged as a cause for concern for the state health department. More leprosy patients are found in the cities than in rural areas. |
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