Government: 99 pct drop in prevalence rate of leprosy in India in last 44 years

India has seen a remarkable success in control of leprosy with a 99 per cent drop in prevalence rate per 10000 population and 98 per cent reduction in cases under treatment over a span of 44 years according to the government As per an official statement India in 2025 had a prevalence rate of 057 per 10000 population and 082 lakh patients on treatment In stark contrast the country in 1981 had a prevalence rate of 572 per 10000 population and 3919 lakh patients on treatmentSince March 2006 when the annual report confirmed a prevalence rate of less than 1 per 10000 084 there has also been a decline of 37 per cent in new case detectionLeprosy or Hansenrsquos disease is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae bacteria Symptoms include discoloured skin patches lack of ability to feel touch pressure pain muscle weakness deformities particularly in hands feet and face and the inability to close eyes and poor visionThe disease is transmitted through droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with untreated casesA key strategy in the fight against the disease was the introduction of Multidrug Therapy MDT containing bactericidal drug Rifampicin and bacteriostatic drug clofazimine besides dapsone in 1983 the government saidEarly diagnosis and treatment with MDT prevented disabilities and deformities marking the beginning of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme NLEP a centrally sponsored scheme under the National Health Mission NHMldquoNLEP programme demonstrates a public health success rooted in political will commitment sustained efforts for new case detection free of cost and uninterrupted supply of MDT drugs timely adoption of global guidance timely introduction of revised treatment regimens postexposure prophylaxis innovations and expanding community engagementrdquo the statement saidWith the successful implementation of NLEP India achieved elimination status in March 2005 at the national level which means prevalence rate below 1 per 10000 population and sustained this till date the statement saidSince then the programme is working towards achieving this goal at the subnational level as of March 2025 31 states and 638 districts have achieved a prevalence rate below 1 per 10000 population it addedLeprosy screening has also been integrated under Ayushman Bharat Yojana Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram RBSK and Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram RKSK for screening of adults and childrenNLEP is aligned with the National Strategic Plan and Roadmap for Leprosy 2023 2027 and the WHO Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases 20212030 aiming to achieve interruption of transmission of leprosy by 2030As India approaches its goal of zero transmission continued political will adequate funding and active public involvement will be key the statement saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever