The Maharashtra government will launch a major state-wide leprosy detection drive from November 17, under which 8.66 crore people and 1.73 crore households will be screened over a two-week period. The campaign, which will run till December 2, marks one of the largest public health outreach initiatives undertaken by the state in recent years, reported news agency PTI.

According to an official statement, the annual mass screening exercise is part of Maharashtra’s continued efforts to intensify early detection under the Centre’s National Leprosy Eradication Programme. The survey will be conducted across all districts, including rural, urban and tribal pockets, to identify “hidden or undiagnosed” cases and bring them under immediate treatment, reported PTI.