Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries on earth. Although poverty has halved in the past 20 years, there are still major health issues including leprosy, with 4,000 reported new cases each year. The Leprosy Mission, with almost 600 staff and more than 20 separate projects, is the largest organisation working in leprosy in Bangladesh.
TLM's work in Bangladesh includes: a national leprosy referral hospital in Dhaka providing health care for leprosy patients as well as a training centre and laboratories for research; community rehabilitation projects, encouraging the formation of self-help groups; and advocacy, raising awareness of the rights and needs of leprosy-affected people in Bangladesh.
TLM Bangladesh detects 60% of the new cases of leprosy in Bangladesh each year
Activating and Engaging Partnerships to reduce leprosy in Bangladesh
Large parts of Bangladesh have little in the way of leprosy health care services which means that many leprosy cases are not being detected.
This project is a collaboration of partners and stakeholders, bringing together church and faith-based organisations, government services, colleges and universities, the media and other non-governmental organisations to raise awareness of leprosy and to find hidden cases of the disease.
Danish Bangladesh Leprosy Mission hospital (DBLM) not only treats leprosy patients, it also carries out vital leprosy research projects in its laboratory and in the field.
The hospital has become well-known for its research activities, making a contribution to the global understanding of the disease and its treatment. Research projects have so far included whether blood tests can give advance warning of leprosy; comparing different approaches to leprosy prevention; and studying the impact of self-help groups on people's lives.
But there is still so much more to do in the fight against leprosy. And to achieve zero global transmission by 2035, more effort and funding is needed.
That is why TLMNI, in partnership with other TLM offices around the world, will be supporting TLM Bangladesh to extend its leprosy services by providing funds to help build staff capacity, invest in research resources and equipment and enable TLM Bangladesh to participate more fully in the international scientific research community.
