The Department of Public Health Mid-West has launched a fundraising campaign to help develop the laboratory facilities at Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital in Nepal.
The ultimate aim of Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital to become completely self-sustainable in the future. A significant proportion of their care is self-funded through general care, with leprosy care free-of-charge. Developing their laboratory services will help them towards sustainability, as well as improving the range of health care and diagnostics they can supply to the area they serve.
Public Health Mid-West has formed a committee to oversee the campaign, comprising Public Health doctors, nurses, surveillance, administration, and communications. The department expect to host a number of fundraising initiatives, including participating in this year’s Great Limerick Run.
Staff nurse Eimear Dwan, who has been working on the pandemic frontline with Public Health Mid-West since 2020, will take part in the Great Limerick Run marathon in aid of this charitable cause.
All donations are processed through the Nepal Leprosy Trust Ireland charity. Members of the public can donate through iDonate here: www.idonate.ie/PublicHealthMW
The department has had close ties with the hospital, its clinical team, and the community for seven years, a partnership that benefits both partners.
The campaign is in conjunction with the ESTHER programme initiative, through which Public Health Mid-West has secured funding to pursue the aims and objectives of the partnership, both this year and in past campaigns.