PMF IAS Test Series for UPSC Prelims Banner Ad
PMF IAS Test Series for UPSC Prelims Banner Ad

Leprosy

Subscribe to Never Miss an Important Update! Assured Discounts on New Products!

  • Context (PIB): The Minister of Health and Family Welfare addressed National Anti-Leprosy Day.
  • Also known as Hansen’s disease, it is a chronic infectious disease caused by a bacterium, Mycobacterium Leprae.
  • Transmission: Through contact with the infected person, transmission by the respiratory route, insects etc.
  • It is not highly contagious. More than 85% infected population are non-infectious, and more than 99% population has natural immunity to leprosy.
  • Incubation period: Usually takes about 3-5 years for symptoms to appear.
  • Symptoms: Nerve damage in arms, legs, and skin; loss of sensation in the body; weakness of muscles; and poor eyesight.
  • Treatment: It can be cured by Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT). Currently, the treatment regime consists of Dapsone, Rifampicin, and Clofazimine.
  • Leprosy is a leading cause of permanent physical disability and has been classified as one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD).
World Anti-Leprosy Day is observed internationally on the last Sunday of January to commemorate the death of Gandhiji.

Prevalence of Leprosy

  • Despite WHO announcing it as an ‘eliminated’ global health problem, over 2 lakh people are diagnosed with leprosy each year. Over half of these cases are detected in India.

Reasons for the rise in cases of Leprosy

  • Social stigma associated with Leprosy acts as a hinderance to self-reporting and early treatment.
  • Lack of awareness among patients and people at large on the causes and cure of Leprosy.
  • Ineffective disease surveillance, early diagnosis and detection.
  • Poor condition of public health services, driving up the cost of treatment.

GoI Initiatives for Eradication of Leprosy

National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)

  • It is a centrally sponsored scheme under the National Health Mission.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  • Vision: Leprosy-free India.
  • Implementation: While the strategies and plans are formulated centrally, they are implemented by the States/UTs.

Nikusth 2.0 Portal

  • It is an integrated portal for leprosy case management under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP).
  • It will aid in efficient data recording, analyzing and reporting of the data in the form of indicators and a real-time dashboard at centre, state, and district levels.

Global Initiatives for Eradication of Leprosy

  • WHO’s Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030 aims to reinvigorate leprosy control efforts and avert disabilities, especially among children.
  • UN General Assembly Resolution on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons affected by Leprosy, 2010: It calls on governments to modify or abolish existing laws that discriminate against persons affected by Leprosy and their family members.
  • UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2007 aims to promote full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities.
Must Have Books For UPSC CSE

Sharing is Caring!

Newsletter Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss an important update!

Assured Discounts on our New Products!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Never miss an important update!