Sparsh, a joint initiative of Tata Steel Rural Development Society and Lepra Society, has treated 7,993 leprosy patients. The referral Centre was established to provide specialised health care services.

The Sparsh Project is aimed at providing dedicated services to patients suffering from leprosy, who are also stigmatised in the society. In the current project period, a total of 7,993 cases were treated at the OPD (outside patient department) unit for counselling and treatment, out of which 3,034 were women. Thirty-seven patients were referred to higher institutions for reconstructive surgery. Of these, 21 patients were operated upon, the company said in a statement.

CSR Biren R Bhuta, Chief, Corporate Social Responsibility, Tata Steel said, “Under this initiative, we are organising several awareness programmes for early case detection, regular treatment and to avoid discrimination in the community.” Apart from the advance treatment facilities, Sprash has distributed 1,837 pairs of protective footwear. It has also distributed 9,226 pairs of Grade-I footwear that has reached States such as Assam, Uttrakhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. These unique multi-cellulose rubber footwear are not easily available across the country, and many States are eager to take the help of Sparsh in procuring specialised footwear, the company said in the statement.

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