India achieved Elimination status for Leprosy at National Level

Delhi: The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) is a centrally sponsored scheme under the overarching umbrella of the National Health Mission (NHM). Funds are allocated to the programme activities under NHM on the basis of State/UT specific Programme Implementation Plans and States/UTs are required to utilize funds as per their need, priority and on the basis of their absorption capacity. India achieved Elimination status for leprosy at National level. i.e. Prevalence Rate (PR) less than 1 per 10,000 population in 2005. Further, Government of India also launched the National Strategic Plan (NSP) & Roadmap for

Leprosy (2023-2027) on 30th January, 2023 to achieve zero transmission of leprosy by 2027 i.e. three years before the Sustainable Development Goal which is by 2030. The major initiatives taken under NLEP are as under:

National Strategic Plan (NSP) and Roadmap 2023-2027 & National Guidelines for Anti-Microbial Resistance for leprosy have been released on 30th January 2023.

Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC), Active Case Detection and Regular Surveillance, both in rural and urban areas, through ASHAs and Frontline Workers in order to ensure detection of leprosy cases on regular basis and at an early stage in order to prevent Grade II Disabilities.

Leprosy screening has been integrated with Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) for screening of children (0-18 years).

Leprosy screening has been integrated with the activities of comprehensive primary health care under Ayushman Bharat Yojana for screening of people above 30 years of age.

Contact tracing is done and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is administered to the eligible contacts of index case in order to interrupt the chain of transmission.

Various services are being provided under the programme for Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) i.e., reaction management, provision of Microcellular Rubber (MCR) footwear, Aids & Appliances, self-care kits etc.

Reconstructive Surgeries (RCS) are conducted at District Hospitals/Medical Colleges/ Central Leprosy Institutes, and welfare allowance @ Rs 12,000/- is paid to each patient undergoing RCS.

The number of cases detected annually under Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC) since its introduction are as under:

Under the NLEP, treatment/ diagnostic services are provided free of cost to all the patients. There is also a provision of providing welfare allowance @ Rs. 12,000/- to patients undergoing Reconstructive Surgeries (RCS).

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.