World Leprosy Day - A Call to Action For Zero Discrimination and Zero Cases

Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, which is also known as Hansen's disease caused by the bacteria named Mycobacterium leprae. It affects majorly the skin and peripheral nervous system and causes formation of nodular appearances on the outer surface of skin and marginal nerves with loss of sensation leading to muscle wasting, producing deformities. This granulomatous disease also affects the upper respiratory tract and if not treated early, can become progressive causing to permanent damage to the limbs, nerves, skin, and eyes.

World health organization has initiated leprosy elimination program in 2005, but still cases continue to occur. A complete eradication of this disease may not happen immediately in the endemic regions.

WHO has aimed at eradication and global transmission of leprosy at a rate of 1 per 100,000 population. In the year 2020, there was a remarkable reduction in this rate and India has evidenced 3.3 per 100,000 cases.

As per WHO statistical reports, in 2020, around 1,27,558 new leprosy cases were detected globally.

When looking back at the history, in the year 1991, India has recorded 75% cases of the total cases recorded worldwide.

The National Leprosy Control Programme (NLCP) was launched by the government of India in 1954- 55. Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) came into existence in the year 1982 followed by the introduction of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme in 1983. The campaign is aimed on breaking the chain of disease transmission, which has led to a remarkable decline in the number of leprosy cases in the country.

With the governments active involvement, early detection of the disease, and awareness spread across, let’s aim to achieve a Zero leprosy: zero infection and disease, zero disability, zero stigma and discrimination'.