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TLM East Asia Pacific
43 Projects
Population covered: 52,575,506
TLM’s East Asia Pacific projects cover diverse geographical areas from northern China to the islands off Papua New Guinea. While some countries are making progress towards leprosy elimination, the disease remains a public health issue with 1-9 cases of leprosy per 100,000 of population.
TLM staff transfer knowledge and expertise to national staff, as well as providing logistical support for leprosy work. In 2005, around 40 projects were supported in the East Asia Pacific region providing benefits to 32,698 people affected by leprosy.
Below you will find a sample of the TLM projects in the East Asia Pacific region. Alternatively, click on a country on the right for country specific information:
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Micro Enterprise Development
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Through micro credit loans, people affected by leprosy and other disabilities are encouraged to take up their traditional occupations, start new vocations or set up small businesses. This is achieved through advocacy, counselling and loans, often in community groups.
In Indonesia self-care group leaders and members are being empowered to take responsibility for their own socio-economic development.
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Leprosy control programmes
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TLM teams aim to detect and treat leprosy early on before disability occurs. Through Leprosy Control Projects (LCPs) government healthcare workers are trained in the early diagnosis and treatment of leprosy. In Bangladesh TLM runs four LCPs, covering a population of 4 million.They provide training in health, education and advise the government's LCPs in 26 of its 64 districts.
In Timor Leste, TLM has been invited to assist in the establishment of an integrated leprosy programme with government health staff that can reach communities affected by leprosy.
In Bangladesh TLM workers found 4,898 new cases of leprosy.
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| Advocacy |
Throughout the East Asia Pacific, TLM works in partnership with other leprosy organizations, governments, communities and families to break down the misconceptions and stigma surrounding leprosy. In China, TLM partners HANDA – an organization of people affected by leprosy - which educates the general public throughout China about leprosy and also implements anti-stigma projects for around 3,500 people affected by leprosy.
Through advocacy, leprosy beneficiaries integrate into society and damaging attitudes to leprosy are changed. Through initiatives that combat local stigma and bring financial assistance, children from leprosy affected families are able to attend school.
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Prevention of Disability and Rehabilitation
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Prevention of Disability or POD teaches former patients how to protect and care for anaesthetic limbs to prevent further damage. Where disability has occurred, prosthetic limbs and mobility aids are provided.
In Laos, TLM works with partner organizations to support COPE (Cooperative, Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise), supplying prosthetic and mobility aids to some of the estimated 10,000 people disabled in Laos.
At the McKean Rehabilitation Centre in Thailand a comprehensive range of services is provided. Reconstructive surgery, hospital-based disability care, and mobility aids for independent living, combined with community based socio-economic rehabilitation enable former patients to live to their maximum potential.
Thorough rehabilitation programmes in South East Asia restore self-reliance and economic independence, addressing the practical challenges of living with leprosy related disabilities.
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