The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) is a centrally sponsored scheme under the overarching umbrella of National Health Mission (NHM). Funds are allocated to the programme activities under NHM on the basis of State/UT specific Programme Implementation Plans and States/UTs are required to utilize funds as per their need, priority and on the basis of their absorption capacity.

Leprosy is a chronic disease which leads to delayed manifestation of symptoms. The persistence of reported leprosy cases is attributed to the long incubation period of the disease, which can range from 5 to 20 years. India has continued to report more than 1,00,000 new leprosy cases annually over the years and accounts for a significant proportion of the global leprosy burden. In addition, ongoing transmission in certain high-endemic pockets, improved surveillance and active case detection activities under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), and increased awareness resulting in higher reporting contribute to sustained detection of cases.

The following steps have been taken by Government to improve the Situation:

• Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC): House-to-House surveys in villages and urban areas in identified high burden districts
• Focused Leprosy Campaign (FLC): Active case search where a new case with Grade 2 Disability (G2D) is detected, this search targets 300 surrounding households in urban areas or the entire village in rural areas Special plan for active case search in hard-to-reach areas: Provision of leprosy services through community participation.
• ASHA-based surveillance for leprosy suspects (ABSULS) in districts not covered under LCDC to be integrated in the routine activities and continued.
• Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC) is an activity under NLEP organized across the country for general awareness upto village level and reducing stigma and discrimination. Special Annual Mass Awareness campaigns named Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaigns (SLAC) were launched on 30th January, 2017 i.e., Anti Leprosy Day, to reduce stigma and discrimination against persons suffering from leprosy.
• Leprosy services are integrated with the general health care system through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs at Sub-Centres, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), District Hospitals and tertiary care institutions.
• Regular training and capacity-building programmes are conducted for Medical Officers, ASHAs, ANMs and other frontline health workers for early identification, referral and treatment of leprosy.
• Intensified active case detection through Leprosy Case Detection Campaigns (LCDC) and Focused Leprosy Campaigns (FLC) are undertaken in high-risk and vulnerable areas to ensure early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment.
• Contact tracing is carried out and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is administered to eligible contacts of index cases to interrupt transmission.
• Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) services are provided as per programme guidelines, including reaction management, self-care training, provision of assistive devices, Micro-Cellular Rubber (MCR) footwear and reconstructive surgery.

Details of state-wise and district-wise leprosy data can be accessed through the official DGHS website (https://dghs.mohfw.gov.in/nlep.php) under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP).

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

****

SR

HFW/ Update on NLEP/10 March 2026/7

(Release ID: 2237746) Visitor Counter : 247