GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

RAJYA SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 271
TO BE ANSWERED ON 16TH MARCH, 2010
Leprosy Cases in India

*271. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR:
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that India accounts for the highest number of new leprosy cases in the world; and

(b) if so, the steps Government has taken or proposes to take to eliminate this disease?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) The goal of leprosy elimination (i.e. prevalence rate of less than 10 cases per lakh population) has been achieved at the National Level in December, 2005. However, the strategy of early detection and treatment of leprosy cases with multi-drug therapy (MDT) is being intensified to further reduce the burden of leprosy from current level of7 cases per lakh population.