Leprosy Elimination

Introduction

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by M. Leprae, an acid-fast, rod shaped bacillus. The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and also the eyes, apart from some other structures.

Leprosy has afflicted humanity since time immemorial. It once affected every continent and it has left behind a terrifying history and human memory of mutilation, rejection and exclusion from society.

National Leprosy Control Programme (NLCP) in Pauri was started from 1955. With the advent of MDT (Multi Drug Treatment) this national programme was re-designated as National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) in the year 1983.

In 1983 MDT was introduced in phase manner and the whole Pauri state was covered by MDT in the year 1991. The goal of NLEP was to reduce the prevalence rate to less than 1 per 10,000 populations by 2005

The goal of leprosy elimination is achieved in Oct-04 by having PR 0.95 at State level. Multi Drug Treatment available in all Government Hospitals free of cost.

During 2013-14 Special Activity Plan carried out in 67 block of 10 high endemic district and 3 blocks of low endemic district, during this activity total 3472 new leprosy cases detected. Prevalence Rate of State is 1.19/10000 population in January 2014. Aims of state are to achieve elimination of leprosy at district & sub district level.

National Goal for 12th Five Year Plan Period (2012-17)

Goal of NLEP is to eliminate leprosy from the state. Elimination means to reduce the proportion of leprosy cases to very low levels specifically below the level of one case/10000 population. Through the effective application of technology i.e. MDT, leprosy are not remain as major public health problem.

Global Goal

Reducing the rate of new cases with Grade-II disabilities per 100000 populations at least 35% in next five years and provide qualitative disabilities services and reconstructive surgery to leprosy affected persons.