All About National Leprosy Eradication Programme
What is Leprosy?
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. It’s important to know that unlike how it was perceived in the past, leprosy is actually not very contagious and is completely curable.
Here’s a breakdown of leprosy:
- Cause: It is caused by slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae.
- Transmission: Although contagious, it spreads through close and frequent contact with respiratory droplets from someone with untreated leprosy. Casual contact cannot transmit it.
- Symptoms: The main symptoms are skin lesions with numbness and nerve damage, particularly in the arms, legs, and face.
- Treatment: Leprosy is curable with antibiotic treatment. Early diagnosis is important to prevent nerve damage.
What is the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)?
The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) is a government program in India aimed at eliminating leprosy completely. Launched in 1983, it builds upon the earlier National Leprosy Control Programme, which started in 1955.
India achieved its goal of eliminating leprosy as a public health problem at the national level in 2005. However, NLEP strives to bring the prevalence rate down to less than 1 per 10,000 population even at the sub-national and district levels.
Key Aspects of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme:
- Free treatment: NLEP provides free Multidrug Therapy (MDT) for leprosy to all patients across the country.
- Accessibility: Treatment is delivered through government hospitals, primary health centers, and other healthcare institutions.
- Focus on reducing infection: Early detection of cases and treatment with MDT helps to break the cycle of transmission.
- Disability prevention: The program aims to identify and manage leprosy-related disabilities to improve patients’ quality of life.
- Public awareness: NLEP works to raise awareness about leprosy, including its curability and to fight the stigma associated with the disease.
Objectives and Strategies of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme
The primary objectives of NLEP are to:
- Reduce the disease burden of leprosy
- Prevent the occurrence of disabilities among leprosy patients
- Promote early case detection and complete treatment
- Provide quality leprosy services at all levels of the healthcare delivery system
- Reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with leprosy
The program follows a decentralized approach and focuses on the following strategies:
- Early case detection through active surveillance and contact tracing
- Provision of free, high-quality, and complete treatment with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT)
- Disability prevention and medical rehabilitation
- Capacity building of health staff and community volunteers
- Generating awareness and promoting positive attitudes towards leprosy
Implementation and Monitoring of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme
NLEP is implemented through the primary health care system, with the involvement of various stakeholders, including the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the community. The program is monitored at different levels:
- National level: National Leprosy Eradication Program Division, Directorate General of Health Services
- State level: State Leprosy Officer and State Leprosy Cell
- District level: District Leprosy Officer and District Leprosy Cell
- Block level: Medical Officer and Block Leprosy Supervisor
Key Achievements of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme
| Year | Key Achievement |
| 1955 | The National Leprosy Control Programme (NLCP) was launched by the Government of India to control leprosy infections. |
| 1982 | Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) was introduced for leprosy treatment. |
| 1983 | The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) was launched as a continuation of NLCP, with a focus on eradicating leprosy. |
| 1991 | The World Health Assembly resolved to eliminate leprosy globally by the year 2000. |
| 1993-2000 | The first World Bank-supported project for NLEP was introduced in India and completed. |
| 2001-2002 | The second World Bank-supported project for NLEP was implemented. |
| 2005 | India achieved the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem, defined as a prevalence rate of less than 1 case per 10,000 population at the national level. |
| 2006 | Disability Prevention & Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) was introduced as a component of NLEP. |
| 2007 | DPMR guidelines for primary, secondary, and tertiary levels were distributed by NLEP. |
| 2012 | A special action plan was made for 209 high-endemic districts in 16 states/union territories. |
| 2016 | The Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC) was initiated. |
| 2022 | As of May 3, 2022, a total of 72,914 leprosy patients were receiving treatment in the country. |
Challenges and Future Directions of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme
Despite significant progress, challenges remain in achieving the goal of a leprosy-free India. Some of the challenges include:
- Achieving zero transmission of leprosy
- Reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with leprosy
- Ensuring early case detection and complete treatment in hard-to-reach areas
- Strengthening the capacity of health staff and community volunteers
To address these challenges, NLEP has set the following future directions:
- Accelerating leprosy elimination efforts through targeted interventions
- Enhancing data management and using mobile health, electronic health, and artificial intelligence for better monitoring and evaluation
- Promoting research and establishing premier Leprosy Institutes for research and training in leprosy elimination
Please Check Other Government Programmes
FAQs on the National Leprosy Eradication Programme
What is the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)?
NLEP is a centrally sponsored health scheme under the National Health Mission of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, aimed at eradicating leprosy in the country.
When was NLEP launched?
NLEP was launched in 1983 as a continuation of the National Leprosy Control Program of 1955.
What are the main objectives of NLEP?
The primary objectives of NLEP are to reduce the disease burden, prevent disabilities, promote early case detection, provide free treatment, and reduce stigma associated with leprosy.
How is NLEP implemented?
NLEP follows a decentralized approach, with funds distributed to states through State Health Societies. The program is implemented through the primary health care system, with the involvement of various stakeholders.
What is the current status of leprosy elimination in India?
India achieved the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem in 2005, with a prevalence rate of less than 1 case per 10,000 population at the national level.
What is the vision of NLEP?
The vision of NLEP is a “Leprosy-free India,” with a focus on research, training, and the establishment of premier Leprosy Institutes for research and training in leprosy elimination.
What are the key strategies of NLEP?
NLEP focuses on early case detection, complete treatment with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT), disability prevention, capacity building of health staff, and generating awareness to promote positive attitudes towards leprosy.
What is the role of ASHAs in NLEP?
ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) are involved in the program for early detection of leprosy cases and ensuring complete treatment.
How is NLEP monitored?
NLEP is monitored at different levels, including national, state, district, and block levels, with the involvement of various officials and committees.
What are the future directions of NLEP?
NLEP aims to accelerate leprosy elimination efforts through targeted interventions, enhance data management using technology, and promote research to achieve a leprosy-free India
