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FAIRMED Sri Lanka launched a community-based rehabilitation (CBR) project in the Thamankaduwa, Hingurakgoda and Lankapura Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas in the district of Polonnaruwa, where service delivery ​especially for rehabilitation is particularly poor as a result of limited accessibility to healthcare services, poverty and poor knowledge regarding the availability of services. Through this project, it is expected to improve the quality of life of people affected by disabilities as well as empower them to take greater control of their lives. 

As one of the steps taken to achieve this ​objective, an awareness programme was conducted on the 21st of October, 2020 by the District Public Health Inspector for Leprosy for members of ​a community-based organization in the village of Anikat Patula, Galamuna in the Lankapura MOH area to educate them on disability and rehabilitation ​in view of obtaining their support to rehabilitate the persons with disabilities in their own homes. The programme was supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), Sri Lanka.

Hand-washing remains the first line of defense against Covid-19, however many rural schools lack basic hand-washing facilities which increases the risk of children and staff contracting Covid-19 and other infectious diseases. 

With the generous donation of the Embassy of Switzerland in Sri Lanka and the support and guidance extended by the Regional Director of Health Services – Puttalam, FAIRMED Sri Lanka was able to ensure safe reopening and operation of selected local primary schools in the Puttalam district during Covid-19 by donating pedal operated sink units and water tanks to establish hand-washing stations within the school premises. As a result, 57 schools identified by the District Health Authorities currently have functional hand-washing facilities for practicing good hand-washing habits.      

In an attempt to reduce stigma and discrimination against persons affected with leprosy, a wall art was done at St. Matthew’s College in the D3 area in the Colombo Municipal Council on the 7th of August 2020 as an awareness for the general public. This programme was coordinated by the Public Health Inspector for leprosy, Health Instructor of the area and the Project Officer of FAIRMED Foundation attached to the Colombo Municipal Council.

A ring survey was conducted in Samagipura in the Minneriya area belonging to the Hingurakgoda Medical Officer of Health area in the Polonnaruwa District on the 3rd of July 2020. All the participants were made aware about skin diseases including Leprosy and were screened during this survey. ​Those in need of further care were referred to the dermatology clinic of the Hingurakgoda Base Hospital. The survey was conducted by the Regional Epidemiologist and staff of the Regional Epidemiology Unit along with the Range Public Health Inspector​s of the area.

A ring survey was conducted in the Pahalawela and Mullekumbura villages in the Opanayake Medical Officer of Health area belonging to the Ratnapura District on 17th of June 2020. All the participants were screened during this survey and those who were identified with skin diseases were referred to a clinic the following day, which was conducted by the Medical Officer of Health. Those in need of further care was referred to the dermatology clinic. The survey was conducted by the Medical Officer of Health, District Public Health Inspector for Leprosy, Public Health Inspector of the Hunuwala PHI area and two Public Health Midwives of the area.