New Delhi: The health ministry is pushing states and Union territories to implement an updated treatment regimen for leprosy cases to eliminate the disease by 2027.
Under the revised plan, the government has introduced a three-drug regimen for paucibacillary cases, replacing the previous two-drug regimen used internationally for six months. This new approach, known as multidrug therapy, is endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Paucibacillary leprosy is characterized by one to five skin lesions without the presence of bacilli in a skin smear, while multibacillary leprosy involves more than five skin lesions or nerve involvement.
The National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP) is working towards halting leprosy transmission at the sub-national level by 2027. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued a communication to all states and Union territories regarding the introduction of the new treatment regimen for paucibacillary cases.
NLEP, a centrally sponsored scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM), provides funds to state and Union territory governments based on their requirements and priorities.
India achieved leprosy elimination status at the national level in 2005 when the disease prevalence rate dropped below one per 10,000 population. To accelerate the elimination of leprosy, the government launched the National Strategic Plan and Roadmap for Leprosy (2023-2027) to achieve zero disease transmission by 2030.
Despite progress, there are still districts where leprosy remains endemic. Through interventions under NLEP, the number of new leprosy cases detected has decreased to around 31,000.
In 2023, India reported 31,088 leprosy cases across 17 states. The leprosy treatment market is projected to grow to over $5,438.94 million by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% from 2025 to 2032, according to Consegic Business Intelligence.
Queries made to a health ministry spokesperson went unanswered.
