Evaluating partnerships and developing systems capacity in a global public health program: Using the example of leprosy eradication in India

We are confronted with a perpetuation of disparities between and within nations, a worsening of poverty, ill health, illiteracy, and the ineptitude of governments. Leprosy is a disease unknown in the developed world but remains endemic in the developing and under developed world. India accounts for 73% of cases worldwide. Government of India started the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), with the aid of W.H.O. and other international funding agencies, to eradicate Leprosy in India by year 2000. NLEP was only partially successful; there are still areas in India where Leprosy is endemic. The goal of this presentation is to identify, evaluate, and address the issues facing a global public health program and provide solutions for success through a public health leadership perspective. The presentation begins by explaining the incidence and prevalence of Leprosy in India, organizational structure of the health system, and proceeds to identify factors leading to failure of partnerships. Qualitative analytic methods are used to analyze the factors contributing to failure and associate them with the organizational structure. Creating a networking diagram enables us to link different factors that are contributing to the program failure. A logic model is developed to address the issues facing the program and increase the effectiveness of service delivery. Components of strategic planning and change management are applied to sustain the program through different stages. The presentation will utilize a comprehensive and systematic empirically-based approach for the development, evaluation, and dissemination of public health interventions. This presentation addresses the socio-economic, cultural and governmental issues facing the program and proposes measures leading to success. Regionally and culturally appropriate methods are developed basing on the evaluation findings. Intervention methods are suggested according to the evidence based on evaluation findings. The program can achieve its goals by creating a new shared vision, communicating the vision, implementing changes, engaging the community and training people to be effective public health leaders.