What’s New with Leprosy – 2024
Written by Taj Prabhugaunker, Final Year, MBBS- Goa Medical College
The Age old nemesis of public health- Kusht Rog aka Leprosy has been a sustained global burden documented in literature of ancient civilizations to those of the modern medicine.
Being a neglected tropical disease, it still plagues more than 120 countries, with greater than 2 Lakh new cases reported every year! The majority of annual new case detections are from South-East Asia and in 2022-23, India reported a whopping surge of 626 newly detected cases!! With the increase in the proportion of patients in the advanced stage of the disease, a cause of concern among medical fraternity.
The chronic infectious bacterial disease predominantly affects the skin and peripheral nerves , transmitted via droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.
We are well aware, that it is curable and treatment in the early stages can prevent disability. But Apart from the physical deformity, persons affected by leprosy also face stigmatization and discrimination.
As a robust mission towards prevention and cure to this,
WHO released the Towards zero leprosy: global leprosy (Hansen’s disease) strategy 2021–2030 aligned to the neglected tropical diseases road map 2021–2030. It calls for a vision of zero leprosy:
- Zero infection and disease
- Zero disability
- Zero stigma and discrimination
- The elimination of leprosy (defined as interruption of transmission) as its goal.
The four strategic pillars of the Strategy include:
- Implementing integrated, country-owned zero leprosy roadmaps in all endemic countries
- Scaling up leprosy prevention alongside integrated active case detection
- Managing leprosy and its complications and prevent new disability
- Combatting stigma and ensuring human rights are respected.
Along the lines of the global initiative,
India has launched the National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP), taking all required steps to stop the transmission of Leprosy at the sub-national level by 2027 – three years ahead of SDG target 3.3.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – India, has taken a significant step in the treatment regimen of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) and has decided to introduce a 3-drug regimen for Pauci-Bacillary (PB) cases in place of a 2- drug regimen for 6 months, according to the latest globally accepted scientific research studies and evidence-based practices. And the supply of the revised drug regimen from 1st April 2025, by the WHO.
Revised classification of Leprosy and treatment regimen for PB and MB cases in India as adopted by MOHFW, Government of India-
We believe that this new treatment regimen for leprosy patients will mark a significant step forward in our collective efforts to eradicate leprosy in India by 2027!
This world anti Leprosy day- 30th January, 2024,
Let’s practice this year’s theme of
“Beat Leprosy”
Which encapsulates the dual objectives of the day:
- To eradicate the stigma associated with leprosy
- To promote the dignity of people affected by the disease.
A powerful reminder of the need, to address the social and psychological aspects of leprosy, alongside the medical efforts to eliminate the disease.
It calls for a world where leprosy is no longer a source of stigma but rather an opportunity to demonstrate compassion and respect for all individuals.
So, What are YOU waiting for ?
References:
- DO letter from DDG (Leprosy) for revised classificat.pdf
