Physical Health India Project #62853

Together against Tuberculosis in the slums, Mumbai

by ALEIMAR - Voluntary Organization

Project Report | Jun 11, 2026
Building a TB-Free Future in the Slums of Mumbai

By Elisa Cappai | Project Leader

World TB Day Walkathon

Dear Donors,
tuberculosis remains one of the most serious public health challenges in India, particularly in densely populated urban slums where poverty, overcrowding and malnutrition create the ideal conditions for the disease to spread. For many families living in the slums of Mumbai, tuberculosis is not only a health issue but also a social and economic burden. Long treatment periods often prevent adults from working regularly, reducing household income and making it even harder to access nutritious food, an essential element for recovery.

Through our partnership with Lok Seva Sangam (LSS), Aleimar continues to support children and families affected by tuberculosis. The project provides regular monitoring of patients, food rations, nutritional supplements and ongoing support throughout the treatment process, helping families regain strength and improve their chances of recovery.

This year also marks a very special milestone for our local partner. Lok Seva Sangam celebrated its Golden Jubilee, commemorating 50 years of dedicated service to some of the most vulnerable communities in Mumbai. For five decades, LSS has been a source of hope and dignity, working tirelessly in healthcare, education, community development, tuberculosis treatment, and leprosy awareness. This anniversary is not only a celebration of past achievements but also a renewed commitment to building healthier and more resilient communities in the years ahead.

Another important moment took place on World Tuberculosis Day, celebrated on March 24. Since 2003, Lok Seva Sangam has been actively implementing tuberculosis prevention and treatment programs, reaching thousands of patients across Mumbai. To mark the occasion, LSS organized a community Walkathon in Mumbai, bringing together residents, healthcare professionals, former patients and local organizations to raise awareness about tuberculosis and reduce the stigma often associated with the disease.

A special recognition ceremony was also held for TB Champions and Peer Motivators, individuals who successfully completed treatment and chose to share their experiences with others currently facing the disease. Their testimonies serve as a powerful source of encouragement, showing patients and families that recovery is possible with proper treatment, nutrition and support. By sharing their journeys, these survivors help build confidence and encourage others to seek medical assistance.

The fight against tuberculosis cannot be won through medical treatment alone. Adequate nutrition, community awareness and social support are all essential elements in helping patients recover and preventing new infections.

Thank you for standing with us and with all those working toward a future free from tuberculosis.

World TB Day Walkathon

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Jan 13, 2026
Sustaining Care and Resilience for Families Affected by TB

By Elisa Cappai | Project Leader

TB Center

Dear Donors,
during the Christmas period, a monitoring trip took place thanks to the collaboration with Frame Project. This mission was an important opportunity to closely observe the activities carried out and to strengthen collaboration with our local partner, Lok Seva Sangam (LSS), whose work remains essential in supporting some of the most vulnerable families in Mumbai.

A central pillar of the project is the assistance provided to families affected by tuberculosis. Lok Seva Sangam ensures access to proper medical care and continuous follow-up for each patient. To support this work, there is a dedicated office, equipped with two operators, a computer and a printer, as well as a storage area for food supplies. Here, sacks of rice and single-portion food packages containing rice and lentils (daal) are prepared and distributed. Each family receives 12 food packages per month, ensuring a basic but vital nutritional support throughout the TB treatment period. For every patient, medical treatments and follow-up visits are carefully recorded in a personal register, allowing for precise monitoring of therapy adherence and health conditions.

During the visit, we also took part in the activities of the mobile clinic van managed by Lok Seva Sangam. This mobile unit reaches different neighborhoods of Mumbai and provides essential healthcare services directly within the communities. On the day of our visit, two doctors and a physiotherapist were present, examining patients and prescribing medications. Many people were waiting in line, highlighting the strong demand for accessible medical care in these areas. Currently, the mobile clinic operates once a week, as the limited availability of medical staff does not allow for more frequent visits. Despite this constraint, the service represents a crucial lifeline for people who would otherwise struggle to access healthcare facilities.

In addition to tuberculosis care, Lok Seva Sangam also manages dedicated spaces for the assistance of people affected by leprosy. These centers function as points of medical support, food distribution and social assistance. Here as well, food kits containing rice and daal are distributed and a detailed monitoring system tracks each individual requesting help. The majority of beneficiaries are people living with leprosy, often facing severe stigma and social exclusion. On the walls of these centers, educational posters in Hindi explain the main characteristics of the disease, diagnostic tools, and available treatments, contributing to awareness and early detection.

Through medical care, nutritional support and follow-up, the project in collaboration with Lok Seva Sangam continues to offer concrete help to families affected by tuberculosis and leprosy, improving their health conditions and dignity in extremely challenging contexts.
Your support makes this ongoing commitment possible and we thank you for standing with us and with those who need it most.

Mobile clinical van

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Sep 12, 2025
Breaking the Cycle: Supporting Children and Families Affected by TB

By Elisa Cappai | Junior Project Manager

Dear Donors,
Tuberculosis certainly is one of the most alarming public health issues that India keeps facing year after year. In Mumbai's slums, TB is almost ubiquitous because of overcrowding, poor hygiene, and poverty, which is making families especially vulnerable to the disease. For both sick children and their families, malnutrition very frequently becomes the disease's silent accomplice, thus, the process of restoration is decelerated, and treatments are less effective.

To twist this lethal cycle, Aleimar with the help of our local partner - Lok Seva Sangam (LSS) - has set up a program that will bring health benefits to the children with TB and their families. The project is identified to target three vital aspects:

Weekly monitoring of the family: Weekly home visits enable the health condition to be checked and it is ensured that no case is left undetected.
Food rations distribution: Care families are equipped with staple food commodities which will help them stabilize their food during treatment.
Nutritional supplements: Helps the body to heal and strengthen it, especially the children and the other members of the family who are the most susceptible.

This approach not only helps patients manage the disease but also strengthens whole households to fight against malnutrition and poverty.

We are also happy to share that Lok Seva Sangam has recently been recognized under the Nikshay Mitra program for patient support for TB. Felicitation program, organized by the District Tuberculosis Office, acknowledged the individuals and organizations that are the most active contributors to the eradication of TB. This recognition testifies to the value of our joint efforts and motivates us to continue working for the benefit of people's health and the society as a whole.

Let's continue, together, to bring dignity and healing to some of Mumbai's poorest communities. This is what your donation will make possible.

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