Our Long and Detailed History
NELRA was established in 1969 under the chairmanship of HRH Princess Shanti Singh for the welfare and help of leprosy affected persons and their families, dispel the supersititions and wrong notions in the society, and help the leprosy control programs of Government.
Two leprosaria, one in Khokana, Kathmandu (1857) and other in Malunga, Syangza district, Western Nepal (1993), existed since long as per the old practice of segregating leprosy affected persons. It was further complicated by family formation and children inside the leprosaria. These two leprosaria were handed over to NELRA by Government, first of Malunga Leprosarium in 1976 and later Khokana Leprosarium in 1984.
NELRA's initial concern was about inmates in leprosaria, particulary the children, mostly not affected by leprosy disease. So, it focused on education of children in Leprosaria. Permanent family planning of male inmates of both leprosaria was undertaken. It was complete success in Malunga Leprosarium but partial success at Khokana Leprosarium.
Further, we started primary schools, helped in starting hospitals, children education, etc. Our whole journey is shown below in the timeline.
To end the suffering caused by leprosy in all its forms
We provide free, dignified medical care to every person affected by leprosy, regardless of their ability to pay, their caste, gender, or geography — and we walk alongside them until they are fully restored to community life.
A Nepal where leprosy is a forgotten word, not a living fear
We envision a generation in which leprosy is eliminated both as a public health problem and as a social stigma — where no family is torn apart, no child is denied education, and no person is forced to beg because of this disease.
Whole-person care — medical, social, economic
We do not separate the body from the person. Our programmes integrate clinical treatment with counselling, legal support, livelihood training, and community reintegration — because curing the disease is only the beginning.