RISDT has left no stone in the services of leprosy community from day one.  During these three and half decades RISDT has attended 90,149 leprosy patients (IP = 21,324 and OP = 68,825) in the district of East Godavari.

Following the notification and instructions from the CLD (Central Leprosy Division) MoH, Government of India, the state and the district health functionaries started promoting leprosy services at all levels.   RISDT continuously approached the District Authorities to include ‘Leprosy Activities/Treatment’ in the main agenda in all the meetings.  Now all the Primary Health Centres are focusing on NLEP through its action plans and reviews. In the monthly review meetings, they use to spare time upto 1 hour on leprosy agenda. 106 such review meetings attended by the project staffs where leprosy has been addressed with focus.

The strenuous and untired efforts of RISDT for about three and half decades attained notable results in the district of East Godavari Andhra Pradesh).  We have treated 10,895 patients by supplying MDT.  Identified 3238 deformity cases- out of which 894 are ulcer cases.  The prevalence rate of leprosy as on 1983 is 15.5 per 10,000, which has been dropped down to <0.54 per 10,000.

Now 812 sub centres out of 841, are providing dressing materials like bandages, ointments, spirits etc., for ulcer care to the people affected by leprosy.  90% of the leprosy patients are now visiting their nearest medical facilities for dressing and medical aid on their own.

2385 ANMs at all Primary Health Centres were provided with the name of the  people affected by leprosy  living in their working area.

ASHAs were involved in the formation of 361 self-care groups  so far. The self-care groups were mainly involved in practicing it during the meetings. Efforts are made by both ASHA and ANMs to make people understand the usefulnees of practicing self-care on a regular basis and they follow it up during their field visits. 

Apart from this the CLD initiated ABSULS (ASHA Based Surveillance Leprosy Suspects) system, ASHA has to report to the ANMs which will be monitored by the Medical officers on how many people she has examined on that particular month. This will be reviewed in the monthly meetings.

The supply chain system in health sector was functional upto the PHC level as far as the dressing materials and self care materials are concerned. The people need to travel from their home to the PHC or have to depend upon the ANMs or ASHAs who will get those for them from the PHC whenever they go to the PHC. The self care practice or dressing of ulcer was affected. The Project continuously advocated to extend this supply chain to the sub centres which was more near to the people for the uninterupted service. And now 812 sub centres 96.5%  in total) out of 841, are providing MDT, dressing materials including bandages & ointments.

People have started coming to the sub centres, practice the self care and get the required materials and go back to their communities.

As a part of DPMR Programme (Disability Prevention & Medical Rehabilitation) which has been initiated during 2007 to perform Reconstructive Surgeries to leprosy patients in the districts of Karimnagar, Warangal, of Telangana State and Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh, which has been recognised by National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP); RISDT conducted 1305 reconstructive surgeries to persons affected with leprosy for Lagophthalmos, Palsy hands and Foot drop so far.