Leprosy in India:
Context:
India’s leprosy prevalence rate has fallen from 57.2 per 10,000 population in 1981 to just 0.57 in 2025.
Basics of the Disease:
Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae.
It is transmitted through droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.
The disease primarily affects the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes.
Symptoms:
They include discoloured skin patches, loss of sensation (to touch, pain, heat), muscle weakness, and non-healing ulcers.
Treatment:
Leprosy is curable with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) which is provided free of cost in India.
Early diagnosis and treatment with MDT can prevent disabilities and deformities.
World Health Organization's target and Current status:
Despite achieving the World Health Organization's elimination target (less than 1 case per 10,000 population) at the national level in 2005, India still accounts for over half of the world's new leprosy cases annually.
Eliminating the disease is crucial not only for public health but also for tackling the deep-seated social stigma associated with it.
Key interventions by Government of India:
National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP):
NLEP is a centrally sponsored scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM).
Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC):
A house-to-house search operation to find hidden or unreported cases.
ASHA-based Surveillance for Leprosy Suspects (ABSULS):
Utilizes community health workers (ASHAs) for continuous surveillance and early identification of suspected cases.
National Strategic Plan & Roadmap for Leprosy (2023-2027):
This is the latest framework that provides a comprehensive plan to achieve zero transmission by 2030.
Outcomes under NLEP:
The prevalence rate of leprosy has dramatically fallen from 57.2 per 10,000 population in 1981 to just 0.57 in 2025.
The percentage of child cases among new detections has dropped significantly, from 9.04% in 2014-15 to 4.68% in 2024-25, indicating a reduction in active transmission.
As of March 2025, 31 states and 638 districts have achieved the elimination status of less than 1 case per 10,000 population.