Capacity Building

Under DANLEP's manpower development component a strategy was designed to involve District Leprosy Officers (DLOs) from non-DANLEP districts in the project management and training-cum-technical capacity building. A Zonal Management Concept was introduced by DANLEP with an emphasis on broadening of the participatory decision-making process — its planning, monitoring and implementing capacity. Workshops held on a rotational basis by all the DLOs, act as a platform for exchange of ideas, reporting and training and have resulted in a remarkable change in work culture among government staff in DANLEP districts, such as good teamwork approach and constructive collaboration.

Special attention has been given to improving interpersonal relations and managerial capabilities among NLEP staff. Such training sessions have been an eye opener for the health staff and have contributed to a more conscious functioning. Management training, i.e., review and planning, team building and co-ordination, has been widely disseminated to many different categories of staff - both PHC and NLEP - at various sessions including zonal meetings.

The NLEP staff at state, district and Primary Health Care levels have received training in clinical, counseling and communication skills. The project has contributed to the removal of stigma and fear of leprosy which was still prevalent among government health staff by enabling them to share their experience and through clinical demonstrations of treatment and care for leprosy with real patients.