Roton Malo
ALO reads ‘Light’, a national level organization of persons affected by leprosy and disability, started providing digital ulcer care services for patients with leprosy complications on Tuesday in Thakurgaon.
Md Khalilur Rahman, vice president, ALO, inaugurated the services on Tuesday at The Leprosy Mission International-Bangladesh (TLMI-B) program office at Salandar in the district town.
ALO Vice President said the initiative has been taken with financial assistance from The Sasakawa Health Foundation.
An android mobile phone was handed over to Md Rafiqul Islam, president, Pirganj Kushta O Sadharon Protibondi Unnoyon Sangstha, an organization of leprosy & general persons with disabilities.
Besides mobile phone, disinfectant soaps and face masks and other health safety gears were handed over to the organization of leprosy and general persons with disabilities.
Attending the event, some patients with leprosy complications, said this initiative will open a door to ulcer care services when a doctor cannot reach them during the ongoing pandemic.
Thanking ALO for its great initiative, Md Rafiqul Islam said “socially ignored and stigmatized patients will leprosy complications will receive services from this platform.”
ALO Vice President Md Khalilur Rahman said primarily the digital service has been introduced in Thakurgaon and it will be launched in eight other districts as soon as possible.
This service will be a blessing for patients with leprosy complications during this pandemic situation, Rahman added.
Patients with leprosy complications will call dedicated doctors at DBLM Hospital in Nilphamari when needed over video call using relevant mobile apps, said Rahman adding that doctors will also prescribe medicines for patients.
Leprosy Patients Bear Brunt of Covid-19 Fallout
Along with the global population, persons affected by leprosy and leprosy-related disability including their families as well as the disadvantaged community in Bangladesh, have been bearing the brunt of Covid-19 pandemic for over eight months.
The crises related to livelihood, social stigma, medical services including medicine supply for persons affected by leprosy, were intensified during the pandemic.
Who Represent ALO?
ALO, a national level organization of persons affected by leprosy and disability as well as the disadvantaged community in Bangladesh, was established in 2014 and was registered under the Society Act of Bangladesh Government in 2019. 
ALO represents about 89 federations and more than 1500 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) formed with about 17,000 members mostly affected by leprosy, persons with disability (due to leprosy and beyond leprosy) and persons from other marginalized communities in 22 districts across Bangladesh.
ALO has been working to ensure rights and entitlements, economic and sustainable development of persons affected by leprosy, persons with disability including disadvantaged people in Bangladesh.
Saskawa Health Foundation (SHF)
Sasakawa Health Foundation (SHF) was established by Ryoichi Sasakawa, the founding chairman of The Nippon Foundation, and Professor Morizo Ishidate in 1974. 
SHF was launched with the goal of eradicating Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy, from the world.
Mr. Ryoichi Sasakawa (1899-1995) served as SHF’s first President, and Professor Morizo Ishidate (1901-1996), known as the father of chemotherapy for Hansen’s disease in Japan, who became SHF’s first Chair.
SHF’s vision is ‘Better Health and Dignity for All’. Striving to enrich the physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being of people whoever they are, wherever they are and whatever their circumstances and helping them to maintain their dignity as human beings.
