Lok Sabha Question No. 765 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: Cases of Leprosy
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 765 TO BE ANSWER ON 29.11.2024

## CASES OF LEPROSY

## 765: SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:

Will the Minister of Health and Family Welfare be pleased to state :

- (a) the details of leprosy cases reported in India during the past ten years, year-wise;
- (b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to curb the spread of leprosy, particularly in States with high prevalence rates;
- (c) the details of the allocation of funds for leprosy control programs in the country;
- (d) whether any additional resources are likely to be provided to States with highest number of such cases in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has undertaken any measures to combat the prejudice against leprosy patients and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

- a) The Details of Leprosy Cases reported in India during the past 10 years (F.Y. 2014-15 to F.Y. 2023-24)
2. (b) The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) has implemented several targeted interventions to curb the spread of leprosy, especially in States with high prevalence rates. These include:
- Active Case Detection: Conducting nationwide Leprosy Case Detection Campaigns (LCDC) to actively identify undiagnosed cases in highprevalence areas.
- Surveillance & Screening: Strengthening surveillance, particularly in high-prevalence States, and screening contacts and children for early detection.
- Ensuring the availability of free Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) at all levels of healthcare.
- Awareness & Stigma Reduction: Organizing IEC campaigns, such as Special Leprosy Awareness Campaigns (SLAC), to promote awareness, early diagnosis, and reduce stigma..
- Focused Interventions: Implementing area-specific plans, ASHA-based surveillance, and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with Single Dose Rifampicin (SDR).
- Capacity Building: Training healthcare workers and officials for improved detection and management.
- Strategic Plan: Aligning actions with the National Strategic Plan (20232027) to achieve zero transmission by 2027.
- c) &d) The funds allocated for Leprosy Control Programme in the country for the past 3 years are given below:

| Year    |   Cases reported in India |
|---------|---------------------------|
| 2014-15 |                    125785 |
| 2015-16 |                    127334 |
| 2016-17 |                    135479 |
| 2017-18 |                    126164 |
| 2018-19 |                    120334 |
| 2019-20 |                    114451 |
| 2020-21 |                     65147 |
| 2021-22 |                     75394 |
| 2022-23 |                    103819 |
| 2023-24 |                    107851 |

Source: Central Leprosy Division, MoHFW

Rs. in Lakhs

|   2022-23 |   2023-24 |   2024-25 |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|
|   20028.2 |   25682.7 |   30430.4 |

The funds allocated to 15 States with highest number of cases for implementing NLEP activities is placed at ( Annexure).

- e) NLEP has undertaken several measures to combat the stigma and prejudice against leprosy patients which include:-
- Awareness Campaigns: The Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns, such as the State Leprosy Awareness Campaigns (SLAC), 25 second jingle broadcast at radio stations of various states/ UTs to raise awareness about leprosy, its treatment, and prevention. These campaigns aim to reduce misconceptions and stigma associated with the disease.
- Legislative Measures: Discriminatory laws against leprosy-affected individuals have been repealed, and States/UTs have been urged to expedite the process of repealing any remaining such laws within their jurisdictions.

Annexure referred to in reply to para (c and (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 765 for answer on 29.11.2024.

Annexure

The funds allocated to 15 States with highest number of cases Rs.in Lakhs

|   S.No. | State/ UTs name   |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |   2024-25 |
|---------|-------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
|       1 | Maharashtra       |   2359.05 |   2330.63 |   3173.83 |
|       2 | Chhattisgarh      |   1614.65 |   1761.57 |   1783.88 |
|       3 | Delhi             |    239.73 |    263.5  |    213.39 |
|       4 | Gujarat           |    254.31 |    746.59 |    622.07 |
|       5 | Odisha            |    954.91 |    870.5  |    761.22 |
|       6 | West Bengal       |   1320.47 |   1295.94 |   1393.34 |
|       7 | Andhra Pradesh    |   1316.89 |   1331.49 |   2338.11 |
|       8 | Bihar             |   2132    |   2503.27 |   2755.03 |
|       9 | Jharkhand         |    855.88 |    784.67 |   1435.42 |
|      10 | Madhya Pradesh    |    644.29 |    727.35 |    911.31 |
|      11 | Telangana         |   1033.97 |   1049.07 |    885.46 |
|      12 | Tamil Nadu        |    768.15 |    768.55 |    594.03 |
|      13 | Uttar Pradesh     |   2527.65 |   6069.08 |   8527.37 |
|      14 | Karnataka         |    968.69 |   1349.49 |   1179.23 |
|      15 | Rajasthan         |    250.19 |    511.59 |    410.21 |

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