Leprosy and TB Relief Initiative Nigeria (LTR)
Employer Description
Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Initiative Nigeria (LTR) is a non-profit organization working to fight leprosy and tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria. Established in 2018, LTR grew out of the Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR) Nigeria, which had been operating in the country since 1978.
Their goal is to eliminate leprosy and TB as public health problems in Nigeria by focusing on early detection, treatment, disability prevention, and reducing the stigma around these diseases.
LTR works in 11 states across Nigeria, including Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Plateau. Their activities include transporting TB samples for testing and supporting the Global Fund Public-Private Mix grant. They help state health ministries detect and treat leprosy, train health workers, and provide financial support to local programs.
LTR has been involved in TB control since 1993, improving health worker training, supporting state programs, and working with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre in Zaria. One of their major projects, the Ready4PEP initiative, was launched with NLR International to prevent leprosy.
This project provides a single-dose medication (rifampicin) to people who have been in contact with leprosy patients to stop the disease from spreading. The project aims to reach 21,000 people and is one of the first large-scale efforts of its kind in Nigeria.