World Leprosy Day

In News 

• In 2023, World Leprosy Day will be observed on 29 January.

About Leprosy Day

• World Leprosy Day is observed every year on the last Sunday of January.
•  In India, it is observed on 30th January every year, coinciding with the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.   
  • He was deeply committed to the cause of leprosy-affected persons.
• It aims to create awareness against the stigma and discrimination attached to the disease, by making the general community aware that it is a disease spread by a type of bacteria and it can be easily cured. 
• The theme of World Leprosy Day 2023 is “Act Now. End Leprosy.”
  •  The theme stresses three main points: 
    • elimination of leprosy is possible
    • immediate action is required, which includes resources and commitment
    • leprosy is preventable and treatable, hence people still suffering from it is a needless thing.

Leprosy 

• It is also known as Hansen’s disease and is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. 
• The disease affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. 
• It is known to occur at all ages ranging from early childhood to old age. 
• Transmission: It is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.
  • The disease is not spread through casual contact with a person who has leprosy like shaking hands or hugging, sharing meals or sitting next to each other.
• Impacts: Left untreated, the disease may cause progressive and permanent disabilities.
• Spread: It is reported from all six WHO Regions; the majority of annual new case detections are from South-East Asia.
  • It is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) which still occurs in more than 120 countries, with more than 200 000 new cases reported every year.
• Treatment: It is a curable disease. 
  • The currently recommended treatment regimen consists of three drugs: dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine. 
  • The combination is referred to as multi-drug therapy (MDT). 

• WHO response: WHO provides technical support to Member States on leprosy prevention and control. 
  • The Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030 “Towards zero leprosy” was developed through a broad consultative process with all major stakeholders during 2019 and 2020.
• Efforts of India:   The Government is implementing the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) with the goal of making India leprosy free. 
  • It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the umbrella of the National Health Mission (NHM). 
  • It is implemented in all the States/UTs.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO), working through the country office in India, supports the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP).
  • Major initiatives under NLEP are as follows:
    • Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC) in high endemic districts.
    • Focused Leprosy Campaign (FLC) in low-endemic districts for case detection.
    • ASHA Based Surveillance for Leprosy Suspects (ABSULS).
    • Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign on 30th January every year.
    • Active Case Detection and Surveillance both in rural and urban areas.
    • Convergence of leprosy screening under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) for screening of children (0-18 years) and under Ayushman Bharat for screening of people above 30 years of age.

Source: LM