Despite the recent spike, officials attribute the rise not to a worsening epidemic but to enhanced outreach and early detection initiatives under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme.

The number of leprosy cases detected in India during the 2023 Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC) has nearly doubled compared to the previous year, according to Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Friday, the minister revealed that 31,088 new cases were detected in 2023, a sharp rise from 18,067 cases reported in 2022.

The surge underscores the need for intensified surveillance and early detection, which are at the core of India’s ongoing efforts to eliminate leprosy by 2027 – three years ahead of the global target set by the Sustainable Development Goals.

Despite the recent spike, officials attribute the rise not to a worsening epidemic but to enhanced outreach and early detection initiatives under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP). The number of cases identified in 2022 was itself about 20 times higher than in 2020, when only 908 cases were found, largely due to COVID-19-related disruptions in field operations.

“Improved case detection through active surveillance in both rural and urban areas has contributed significantly to identifying previously undiagnosed cases,” said Patel.

The NLEP, a centrally sponsored scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM), aims to maintain elimination status and push toward zero transmission by 2027. India officially achieved elimination at the national level in 2005, defined as a prevalence rate of less than 1 per 10,000 population. However, isolated hotspots and undiagnosed cases continue to pose challenges.

To accelerate progress, the government launched the National Strategic Plan (NSP) and Roadmap 2023–2027 on January 30, 2023. The comprehensive plan includes initiatives such as:

• Active Case Detection through campaigns like LCDC, and continuous surveillance by ASHAs and frontline health workers.
• Integration with other health programs, such as Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), to screen children up to 18 years old.
• Screening under Ayushman Bharat Yojana, targeting individuals over 30 years of age.
• Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for contacts of newly diagnosed patients, aimed at breaking the chain of transmission.
• Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) services, including self-care kits, MCR footwear, aids and appliances, and reaction management.
• Reconstructive Surgeries (RCS) at designated health facilities, with a welfare allowance of ₹12,000 for each patient undergoing the procedure.

Consistent Political Will

Data from the Central Leprosy Division reveals that the LCDC has consistently played a pivotal role in identifying hidden cases since its inception in 2016. The initial campaigns detected over 30,000 new cases annually across more than 20 states. Although the 2020 campaign saw a drastic drop – covering only one state amid the pandemic – the effort rebounded strongly in the subsequent years.

The 2023 campaign was conducted across 17 states and detected 31,088 cases, marking a significant improvement in both coverage and efficiency.

Health experts have welcomed the intensified efforts. “Early detection is crucial not only for timely treatment but also for preventing disabilities and reducing stigma,” said a senior official in the Health Ministry.

All diagnostic and treatment services under NLEP, including Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT), are provided free of cost through government health facilities. This accessibility, combined with strategic outreach, is expected to further reduce the disease burden and move the country closer to its zero transmission target.

An official of the minister of health and family welfare said that with consistent political will, community-level engagement, and robust surveillance mechanisms, India is positioning itself to become a global leader in leprosy elimination.