Health

Fighting Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

In India, there are estimated 77 million people above the age of 18 years are suffering from diabetes (type 2) and nearly 25 million are prediabetics (at a higher risk of developing diabetes in near future). More than 50% of people are unaware of their diabetic status which leads to health complications if not detected and treated early.[1]There is an increase in prevalence in diabetes and hypertension in the adult urban population in India. This project aims to tackle this issue in the poor urban communities of Mumbai, Maharashtra. 
 

This has evolved from just a screening program to impacting health behaviors of people living with diabetes and LDL-C. The idea is that building good habits and continuous tracking and monitoring will result in better health outcomes - preventing loss of workdays and higher productivity.

We started the journey with screening. Those that are positive receive counselling, follow up visits and behavioral change communication. We support them with lifestyle changes, encourage consistent testing and recommend follow-ups with their doctors. 

Sustainable livelihoods for people at high risk of unemployment and the community.

Through our CSR initiatives we have been on a journey to champion sustainable livelihoods for people affected by leprosy. The project is executed by The Leprosy Mission Trust of India (TLMTI). 

Despite being declared leprosy free almost two decades ago, the prevalence of leprosy continues to rise in India accounting for over half (almost 60%) of the global leprosy load. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India registered 1,03,819 new leprosy cases in 2022-23[2]. India also has approximately 750 ‘leprosy colonies’ where more than 2,00,000 people live marginalized lives. 

Maharashtra, where our headquarters are based, is a state which has one of the highest prevalence rates of leprosy as many as 19,860 newly reported and 13,088 active cases of leprosy were reported during 2022-23.[3] Recognizing this issue, we realized the importance of bringing people affected by leprosy (either directly or those who come from leprosy families) back into the mainstream. Since 2022, the program has witnessed two phases.

The first phase of this program, which began in 2022, involved TLMTI’s Vocational Training Centers in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The project provides certified vocational skill-building courses such as motor mechanics, computer operation, and tailoring to students who have dropped out of mainstream education. With their boarding and lodging covered, they have the opportunity to really focus on their future training coupled with holistic job-readiness and soft skills sessions that prepare students to join and succeed in the workforce. 

Following the success of the first phase, we decided to replicate, strengthen and expand this model into the larger communities, which have pockets of leprosy colonies. In the last year, many people in the community have been trained in various courses – tailoring, beautician and mobile phone repair. These programs have been able to boost the quality of life for leprosy-afflicted families through the enhanced incomes that their new skills bring.