LEPROSY LRRC received membership of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme started in 1955 and it got the responsibility to eradicate the leprosy in Omalur and Mettur Taluks of Salem District. It covered this population by conducting camps in villages and schools. It offered free treatment, including reconstructive surgery, skin grafting and medication besides long hospitalization needed to cure ulcers. The Centre brought down the leprosy from 40/1000 to <1/10000 by 1998. RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY (RCS) Deformity was one of the most common problems for Leprosy affected persons. Since 1967, LRRC performed hundreds of reconstructive surgery. In 2001, the Government of India approved LRRC as a recognized centre to perform RCS for six civil districts of Tamilnadu – Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, and Krishnagiri. Nearly 45 days of stay in hospital required for each patient for pre-operative preparation, operation session and post operative treatment. The entire treatment of RCS is given free of cost by LRRC, we solely depend upon philanthropic donors and well wishers. ULCER AND REACTION CARE At present Leprosy is 100% curable. However Leprosy cured persons are prone to ulcer mainly due to their loss of sensation. LRRC imparts adequate awareness and training on self care management. It provides MCR (Mircro Cellular Rubber) footwear and ulcer care materials. Due to anesthetic skin ulcer patients do not feel the pain. They often come with too much of ulcer and hospitalized for long duration. Sometimes skin grafting is performed for early cure. PHYSIOTHERAPHY The cured patients sometimes were affected by severe deformities. They were given regular physiotherapy in order to enable them to walk and to do some work. REHABLITATION Many of the cured patients were rehabilitated by the Centre. They were offered skill oriented training and employment. YEARLY PERFORMANCE • A minimum of 20 RCS every year • 50 admissions in our hospital for ulcer treatment • 50 new case detection and referral to the office of the Deputy Director of Medical Services (Leprosy), Salem for further treatment and follow-up • Smear test for all new cases detected new • To provide MCR shoes • To provide DPMR Physiotherapy TUBERCULOSIS LRRC is recognized as a member in Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in 2000. The centre is in charge of five lakh rural population covering an area of 902 Sq.Kms for identifying TB patients and providing them DOTS. Some of the patients are so poor that they need external help for nutritious food. PERFORMANCE • To detect 80 number of sputum positive cases in a quarter • To arrange for DOTS • Follow-up till the completion of treatment