The Leprosy Mission
Global Advocacy Strategy
2021 – 2025
Zero Transmission
According to the National statistics on leprosy, there were over 2000 new cases in 2019. More than 50% were from TLM-Nigeria assisted States. That number included 276 children (11.3%), a significant indicator that there is an ongoing and recent transmission of leprosy in communities. It also included 369 people who were already showing signs of permanent damage to their hands, feet, or eyes – an indicator that people are not getting diagnosed or treated early enough. The challenge for leprosy in Nigeria is that these rates have hardly changed over the past ten years and with dwindling leprosy expertise, the situation is precarious. There is, therefore, a need for new approaches and scale-up of implementation of best practices, to break this static pattern and start a real downward trend in leprosy transmission. Leprosy occurs in pockets and to break the transmission of leprosy, it becomes important to ensure that we target these endemic pockets, strengthen collaboration and partnerships with all relevant stakeholders including state and non-state actors to find and treat all new cases, build leprosy expertise, promote contact tracing and to protect at-risk groups. In addition, we will re-organize the leprosy services; use the ‘hub and spoke’ approach; and apply technology (GIS mapping) to enhance our work.
Zero Disability
The complications and consequences of leprosy can be avoided where there is early diagnosis and prompt treatment with MDT. However, even early treatment does not always prevent the disabling consequences of leprosy: as many of the patients usually present late and already have visible deformities at the time of diagnosis. In addition, even after treatment, many people affected by leprosy are still at risk of injury due to loss of feeling in the eyes, hands and feet, or at risk of the disabling effects of leprosy reactions. TLM-Nigeria will tackle this challenge through early diagnosis and prompt treatment of leprosy reactions; promote prevention and management of disability interventions such as septic and reconstructive surgeries. We will enable leprosy patients to practice self-care, facilitate the use of assistive technology and other mobility aids, promote community-based-inclusive development of individuals and communities affected by leprosy in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders. We will prioritize the mental health, well-being, and resilience of people and communities affected by leprosy, as we recognize that the probability and impact of facing a mental health problem are high, particularly in a post-COVID Nigeria. Finally, we will adopt a community-based inclusive development approach to address issues with disabilities faced by people affected by leprosy and disabilities, with a specific focus on children and young people with disabilities (CYWDs).
Zero Stigma and Discrimination
For decades, stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion have been a scar on the lives of people affected by leprosy. In their experience, negative community attitudes can be the most disconcerting and the most disabling consequences of the disease, even when they have no visible impairments. There is no medical justification for such prejudice: it is a social invention, and an unacceptable label. Nevertheless, it is real. To address this, TLM-Nigeria will implement robust advocacy, communication, and social mobilisation initiative to promote the inclusion and human rights of people affected by leprosy and their family members. We will work with IDEA, other disabled people’s organisations, and other relevant partners to promote the disability Act (2018) and find innovative ways to tackle the myths/misconceptions, and all forms of anti-leprosy prejudice and exclusion.
Enabling the Mission
In order to achieve our future long-term aspirations, we need to be an organisation that is ‘fit for the future, driven by research, ICT, and innovation, with flourishing and thriving Board members, engaged workforce, and committed volunteers. Also, we will work to increase local funding, diversify our supporter and donor base through the implementation of a robust local funding strategy. We will work to increase access to institutional funding and grow our capacity to effectively attract and manage projects from large donor agencies within and outside of Nigeria (e.g. DFID, EU, etc.). In addition, we will strengthen collaborations and partnerships by fostering close links with governments (at all levels), the local church, national human rights institutions, and other (I)NGOs to make sure that our programmes are inclusive, sustainable and effective. Specifically, we continue to deepen the relationship with strategic partners within the Global Fellowship, including TLM England & Wales, TLM Scotland, TLM Sweden, TLM-Northern Ireland, TLM Spain, TLM Australia and TLM-Netherlands; we will collaborate and work closely with International Association for Integration, Dignity and Economic Advancement (IDEA) and strengthen our relationship with International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP) members working in Nigeria.
Christ-Centred
The Leprosy Mission-Nigeria is a Christian organisation driven by the love of Jesus Christ to transform the lives of people and communities affected by leprosy. In order to achieve our purpose, we will reinforce our integral mission and contextual witnessing principles, work through local churches, develop the spiritual gifts of our Board, staff and volunteers, and put prayer at the centre of our decision-making and interventions. We will take deliberate steps to invest in the spiritual growth and health of our team, we will enable them to bring greater transformation (spiritual, psychological, social, physical and economic) in the lives of the people and communities affected by leprosy. We will engage with the church to create awareness and raise prayer support during World Leprosy Days. Through our volunteers, we will expand our partnership and collaboration with the church for a leprosy-free Nigeria.
Cross-Cutting Areas
Gender, Inclusion and Safeguarding
We will champion the implementation of policies and programmes that recognise, prevent and respond to gender discrimination at all levels. We will challenge all forms of inequality, increase the participation of people affected by leprosy and disabilities in decision-making at all levels. We will ensure TLM-Nigeria protects people, particularly children at risk, adults and beneficiaries, from any harm that may be caused due to their encountering our organization.
Networking, Collaboration and Sustainability
The implementation of this strategy will rest on the principle of multi-sectoral participation and be driven by community-based inclusive development. Therefore, this strategic plan will seek ways to improve networking, collaboration and strategic partnership among beneficiaries, local Partner Organisations, Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs), and other stakeholders for disability rights and sustainability of the programme.
Information, Communication and Technology (ICT)
We will design and employ innovative information, technology and communication solutions in the areas of implementation of programs, monitoring and evaluation, research and learning, interpersonal communication, information dissemination, advocacy and fundraising, including donor relations and management. Essentially, we will use ICT to enhance our internal information and communication systems, strengthen our external communication systems, and impact and facilitate our engagement with multiple stakeholders.
Mainstreaming Interventions
We will actively seek to mainstream our interventions to ensure they are sustainable. We will work to establish strategic relationships with institutions and specialities that will enhance our work. Specifically, we will seek collaboration with relevant health specialities such as dermatologists, laboratory technologists, orthopaedic surgeons, ophthalmologists, and burns, plastics and reconstructive surgeons. In addition, we will strive to lead Africa in the implementation of integrated NTD approaches and finally, we will mainstream our leprosy interventions into general disabilities by adopting disability management and inclusive development approaches.
Research, Evidence and Learning
We will strive to become the research and learning hub for leprosy in Africa. We will support the generation of high-quality research and evidence in TLM-Nigeria. We will enable and encourage the use of evidence in programme design, organisational learning, understanding our impact, policy development, and communication. To do this, we will promote capacity development for our staff and beneficiaries, we will promote programme/project research and learning; facilitate regular internal strategic reviews and promote practitioner-led development research that includes diverse and marginalised voices.
People
We will invest in our people as our greatest resource for change and build capacities to enhance our work. TLM-Nigeria will foster highly motivated staff and volunteer teams. We will strive to create a sense of belonging to TLM-Nigeria as a platform for collective action by strengthening the connection of staff and volunteers in our work with people and communities affected by leprosy and disabilities. We will continue to challenge ourselves and transform how we relate, paying specific attention to our calling, gifts and talents.
Where We Work
Right Call 1
Transforming the Treatment and Prevention of Leprosy and Buruli ulcers in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
READY4PEP
Preparing Mozambique and Nigeria for PEP – working towards zero transmission of leprosy.
Wheels that Heal
Providing Mobile Health Services to Marginalised Communities, in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
Open Minds
Children & young people overcoming mental health problems caused by skin NTDs in Nigeria
Case Finding
- Strengthening Leprosy & LF Case Finding towards Zero transmission in Kebbi & Sokoto States, Nigeria.
- Accelerating Integrated Leprosy & LF Case Finding towards Zero transmission in Kogi and Kwara States, Nigeria.
- Enabling Integrated Leprosy & LF Case Finding in Niger State, Nigeria.
NTD
Strengthening Integrated NTD Control in Zamfara State
Orthopaedic Project
Improving access to quality care for leprosy affected persons & People with Disabilities through provision of assistive technologies.
Global Fund Public-Private Mix Grant
Scaling Up Services for TB Prevention and Control.
ReDIP
We seek to achieve lasting change in the lives of the populations in 25 communities in 5 States & the F.C.T by supporting people affected by leprosy, PWD’s women and young persons to become empowered to access and fulfill their human rights.
Inclusion First
Seeks to contribute towards an inclusive Nigerian society where households are empowered and social structures strengthened to eliminate all barrier to holistic disability inclusion.
Faranciki
A mental health intervention aimed at achieving inner peace, wholeness and happiness for people affected by leprosy and disability and their family members in Nigeria.