Tata Steel, one of the world’s pioneering steel companies and manufacturer of wide range of steel products recently announced treatment of approx. 8000 leprosy patients as a part of its SPARSH (“the healing touch”) health care services. The initiative was promoted with a joint venture of Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS) and LEPRA Society as their mission to improve and empower the quality of life of people.
SPARSH Project is aimed at providing dedicated services to the patients suffering from Leprosy, which is also regarded as a social stigma. In the current project period a total of 7993 cases were catered at the OPD unit for counselling and treatment, out of which 3034 were female cases. 37 patients were referred to higher institutions for Reconstructive Surgery out of which 21 were such where RCS was conducted. SPARSH has distributed 1837 pairs of protective footwear, 9226 pairs Grade I footwear which has reached out to states like Assam, Uttrakhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Apart from the treatment provided, SPARSH also empowers the patients to be self-efficient by engaging them in activities like painting, handkerchief- and doormat-making. SPARSH also offers OPD Services, Laboratory test services, Physiotherapy and Complications management, Footwear and Orthodesis Unit, Capacity Building Services, Patient Counselling Services & Community Outreach.