Question : LEPROSY ERDICATION PROGRAMME

(a) whether Leprosy, a curable disease has not been eradicated from the country so far;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether any review of National Leprosy Eradication Programme is under consideration; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. ANBUMANI RAMADOSS)

(a) to(d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.17 FOR 23RD NOVEMBER, 2005

The Government of India has set the goal of elimination (not eradication) of Leprosy by December, 2005, under the National Health Policy, 2002, which means to bring down the prevalence rate (PR) of Leprosy to below 1 case per 10,000 population. This level has not so far been achieved.

The main reason for not achieving elimination level so far has been deficiency in full coverage of Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) services due to lack of adequate infrastructural facilities. MDT services could be extended to all districts only in the year 1996 and thereafter sufficient progress has been made to bring down prevalence rate in the country to 1.17 per 10,000 population by the end of September, 2005. Efforts are being made to achieve the goal of elimination by December, 2005.

The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) is reviewed regularly by holding meetings with State level officers. In addition, the programme is being reviewed regularly through independent organizations like National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW) which reviewed the programme in 2003 and 2004 and National Institute of Health Management, Jaipur, which reviewed the programme in 2005. Findings of review are being utilized to improve upon the programme components and activities. In addition, the programme is proposed to be reviewed by the NIHFW during 2006 also.