Founded by The Leprosy Mission International (TLMI) in 1957,
Anandaban Leprosy Hospital :
… Is the largest leprosy hospital in Nepal. It serves as the main leprosy referral hospital for the Central Region of Nepal (8.3 million population, 2003).
… Is completely financially supported through and administered by TLMI.
… Operates under a series of 5-Year Agreements with the Ministry of Health, HMG/Nepal (currently renewed 23 Nov 2000) and works to support the National Leprosy Control Programme of HMG/Nepal.
… Is located 16 kms South of Patan City, in the Lalitpur District, at a scenic spot amongst the hills.
… Employs 112 Nepalese and 6 expatriates in the hospital and associated projects. Total number of staff is 118 at present.
ÿ To maintain Anandaban Leprosy Hospital as the major leprosy referral hospital for the Central Development Region (CDR).
… Provides outpatient services and inpatient care (115 beds: (6981 consultations & 634 admissions in 2003).
… Leprosy services include: comprehensive leprosy care, including MDT (362 received MDT and 634 received specialized services during hospitalization in 2003), disability prevention and correction (226 major and 217 minor operations in 2003), small-scale rehabilitation projects. To date, 247 children of leprosy-affected families have received financial help to attend school and 123 leprosy-affected people have been given loans to start a business, house repair etc.
ÿ To be responsible for all leprosy control activities in Lalitpur District.
… Early diagnosis and treatment since 1978 has resulted in the elimination of disease as a public health problem in Lalitpur district since 1995. In 2003, only 17 new cases were found in this district (2003 population: 351,688).
ÿ To have active involvement in undertaking training programmes according to the requirements of HMG/Nepal.
… Over the past 11 years hundreds of basic health services staff, community volunteers and others have been trained in leprosy (cumulatively, 8,322 individuals received training by the end of 2003).
… National level leprosy courses for doctors are run annually, and the hospital is recognized by TUTH for leprosy training of MDGP candidates.
… Workshops on specialist topics for staff and NGOs supporting the government leprosy control programme (e.g. last year a workshop was run for programme managers {PHO}).
… Six Nepali staff and their children gained extra qualifications, through TLMI sponsorship in 2003.
ÿ To undertake research activities ñ field, clinic & laboratory.
… Increasing understanding of the immunology of leprosy, surveillance for drug resistance and other studies carried out and published (17 papers from Anandaban were presented in 16th International Leprosy Congress held at Brazil, 2002).
ÿ To provide a limited general medical service for local population of Lalitpur.
… For the last 25 years, the hospital has provided primary health care through its Outpatient Clinic, 15-bed general ward and 24 hours emergency service (16,517 consultation and 862 admissions in 2003).
… Services include: general medical consultation; TB clinic; skin clinic; and, maternal and child care (antenatal and postnatal care {83 deliveries conducted in 2003} and immunizations).
ÿ To provide additional technical support to HMG Leprosy Elimination Programme in the Central Development Region of Nepal.
… Through a project started in 1995, TLMI is involved in: capacity building; supervision and monitoring; drug distribution to districts; and, extending disability care to the periphery.
… Promising progress continues to be made in new case detection and treatment and this has been demonstrated in the decreasing prevalence rates. The average prevalence rate came down to 3.4 per 10,000 by December 2003 from 6.2 in 1995.
… Ongoing disability assessment and management remains poor amongst government health workers and is a key to anticipating future workloads.
… Training continues to be a high priority and coverage of staff within high prevalence districts is achievable.
In 1999 the construction of a new 64 bed ward block was completed to replace the old buildings built in 1960. HRH Princess Shruti Rajya Laxmi Devi Rana graciously inaugurated the building in December 1999. This ward block was purpose-built, for the convenience of physically disabled people.
Over the past 46 years Anandaban has helped thousands of leprosy affected people & others. It is expected that the hospital can continue to contribute effectively to health care in Nepal for many years to come. TLM Nepal enjoys a good working relationship with the Ministry of Health, HMG/Nepal and other NGOs/INGOs.
For further information please contact:
Mr Shovakhar Kandel, Executive Officer
Dr Timothy G. Lewis, Medical Superintendent
Anandaban Leprosy Hospital
The Leprosy Mission Nepal
P O Box 151, Kathmandu
Telephone: +977 (1) 429-0545 / 212-2379
Fax: +977 (1) 429-0538
Email: Anandaban@TLMNepal.org