Orissa Experience : Integration

In the DANLEP assisted project in Orissa, integration of leprosy in PHC services was initiated in Deogarh district in 1994-95. The Deogarh experience is documented in the publication "Working Together for Better Results", drawing on the experiences of the field staff and administrators of the Public Health Care (PHC) system and the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP).

Lessons learned from this experience can be summed up as:

• Integration is a slow process which has to be given time.
• Government support helps in leprosy elimination.
• Leprosy and primary health care workers require continued sensitisation.
• Extensive training of medical officers is a must.
• Teamwork is a major aspect of integration.
• Information, education and communication and community involvement are prirotiy actions and a necessary part of the integration process.
• Efforts to educate the community and training provided to functionaries have together had a positive aspect.
• Media coverage must be regular, consistent and extensive, coupled with inter-personal communication.
• Monitoring formats need redesigning.

Integration of MDT Delivery for Leprosy Treatment in the General Health System