Leprosy is also called as Hansens’s disease. It is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. This bacteria develops very slowly as incubation period (time to appear first symptom) is more than 3 to 5 years. The symptoms will take time up to 20 years to completely occur.
This disease is curable, but needs early diagnosis and proper treatment without missing any dose. The disease primarily affect the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosal layer of respiratory system and also to eyes, feet etc.
History of National leprosy program
National leprosy control programme is launched in 1955. Later after this programme, people has began to seen as resistance to some leprosy medicine especially to dapsone. Then government launched, National leprosy eradication programmed with multi drug therapy.
Later, the treatment of leprosy is given at the PHC (primary health center) level only. It make people easier to get proper treatment at their living areas only.
In 2005, India achieved elimination of leprosy status at national level. This status indicate, that prevalence rate of leprosy is less than 1 case per 10,000 per population. Currently, India is heading towards the Nikusth bharat, meaning leprosy free India by 2027.
NLEP strategies
Leprosy Case Detection Campaigns
Leprosy case detection campaign, is to find the patient not only from the clinics but from community via door to door visit, screening camps in villages and hard to reach areas. This activity is conducted via the ASHA worker, Volunteers, NGO.
Focused Leprosy Campaigns
Focused leprosy camaigns specifically work in high endemic districts, where leprosy cases are high. They targeted high risk people or populations such as migrant worker, living outside village people, urban slums, brick worker and industrial workers slums.
This both campaigns helps to spread the awareness of leprosy, building extensive communication and huge manpower training occur in this campaigns.
Also, the leprosy people are also screen at health centers and schools for symptoms for early diagnosis.
Chemoprophylaxis
Chemoprophylaxis is for those patient who has not diagnosed yet but have a potential chance of developing the leprosy. This people are patients relatives, family members, friends and their closed peoples.
This people received a single dose of Rifampicin to decrease likelihood of developing a leprosy.
Uniform Treatment Method
Now, government has implement same treatment method for leprosy patient. Patient recieves 3 drug therapy (Multi drug therapy), for both paucibacilliary and multibacilliary leprosy. Drugs used are Rifampicin, Dapsone and Clofazimine.
Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation
It includes prevention of disability occur in severe leprosy. Also to provide them rehabilitative services. It includes,
- Providing microcellular rubber (MCR) footwear to protect feet from injuries
- Reconstructive surgery (RCS) – This surgeries are provided free of cost at tertiary hospital for skin damages or deformities like claw hands or foot drop. This people recieves compensation amount to patient till they are in the hospital or recovery period, as their loss of income due to surgery.
Nikusth 2.0
Nikusth is a program that keep data of the each diagnosed leprosy patient. This data is store in the computer. It helps to monitor the patient from diagnosis to complete treatment and cure. It helps to provide MDT drug to the specific health center according to the number of leprosy patient, decreasing the chances of drug shortages.
Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign
This campaign is run to spread the awareness of Leprosy and reduce the stigma associated with it. It uses charts, poster, awareness campaigns to all over India to reduce false beliefs and social stigma related to disease. This brings more people to get test for leprosy and reduce the morbidity rates.