Lok Sabha Question No. 4377 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-08
Subject: Leprosy Patients
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (DIVYANGJAN)

## LOK SABHA

## LEPROSY PATIENTS

## 4377: SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is seriously considering the rehabilitation of leprosy patients and if so. the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps in this direction;
- (c) if the details thereof; and SO,
- (d) ifnot; the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)

(a) to (d) The Government has enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act; 2016 which has come into force from 19/04/2017. The Act identifies leprosy cured as one the categories of specified disabilities The Act envisages various rights and entitlements for persons with disabilities including leprosy cured person; The Act also envisages reservation in Government jobs for various categories of persons with benchmark disabilities including leprosy cured persons.

Swami Vivekanand National Institute   of Rehabilitation   Training and Research   Cuttack   provides medical rehabilitation to leprosy affected persons, which includes:

- Surgical Correction of leprosy related deformities
- Management of non-healing ulcer for leprosy:
- Tender transfer surgery for weakness of hand and foot:
- Various orthotics and foot wear management for deformed foot and hand adaptive devices:

Also, under Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting Aids and Appliances Scheme (ADIP) assistive devices are provided to Leprosy affected persons by National Institutes.

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4377 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.01.2019

Besides these,  Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) implements & central sector scheme namely, Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) under which grant-in-aid is provided to Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) running projects for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) aimed at enabling them to reach and maintain their optimal, physical; sensory; intellectual, psychiatric or social functional levels: The Scheme envisages support to project for rehabilitation of leprosy-cured persons (LCPs)

Also, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has informed that under National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP); there is a provision of medical rehabilitation for Leprosy cured and affected persons. Provisions are:

- Provision of Microcellular Rubber (MCR) footwear to be to the patients with insensitive feet; Two MCR footwear per year: supplied pair
- patients with II disability diagnosed at the PHC are referred to the District Hospital for further assessment   and care. Cases   suitable for   Reconstructive   Surgery (RCS) are   referred to RCS centres recognized by Govt: of India in Govt: or NGO sector: grade
- Aids and appliances for Medical Rehabilitation are supplied to the patients.
- Disability care services are provided as routine activity and by organizing camps particularly in areas not easily accessible and in tribal areas

Further under the Programme there is & provision of financial support as given below;

- Aids and appliances up to Rs 17000/- per districtlyear:
- For one of MCR Rs 300/pair
- Welfare allowance Rs 8000/- for each patient for RCS:
- Reconstructive surgery conducted at camp mode Rs 10000/- per case.
- Institutional Reconstructive surgery Rs 5000 /- per case: