The country accounts for over half of the global burden of the disease, as per official data.
In 2010-11, out of 2.28 lakh global cases of leprosy, India accounted for 1.26 lakh, making up more than half of the world figure. In some areas of the country, leprosy is a growing problem considering the fact that 14 states showed an increase in the number of new cases detected in 2010-11 as compared to the previous year.
Of the new cases detected in India in 2010, over 12,000 new cases were detected among children alone and in nine UTs and states more than 10 per cent of new cases detected involved children.
"We are seeing a slowing down of improvements in many parts and in some cases a sort of status quo. Complacency has certainly set in. Past progress should not make the government complacent. Most states of late have not shown a strong intention to strengthen the programme and no extra effort is being made.
"Political commitment is a must if we have to push for zero leprosy cases per 10,000 people which is what we are aiming for," says S K Noordeen, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Sasakawa India Leprosy Foundation, working for leprosy elimination in India.
India's leprosy prevalence rate currently stands at 0.69 per 10,000 people but many districts continue to have incidences higher than the WHO benchmark for elimination of leprosy (which is less than 1 case per 10,000 people). Between 2010 and 2011, 77 districts across India reported more than one leprosy case per 10,000.
The biggest concerns for the Health Ministry's dedicated anti-leprosy programme are Naxal affected areas of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Odisha. Experts are equally concerned over detection of fresh leprosy cases in north Maharashtra and south Gujarat.
Experts working for eradication of leprosy and the forum of those affected with the disease feel the stigma against those affected with leprosy should end and laws discriminating against them be amended. (MORE)
