New Delhi: India accounts for 53% of the global leprosy cases, experts emphasized at an event in the national capital, urging legal reforms and community-based rehabilitation to support individuals affected by the disease.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is an infectious condition caused by Mycobacterium leprae, leading to severe skin sores and nerve damage. Although not highly contagious, prolonged contact with droplets from an untreated individual can result in transmission. Experts highlighted the urgent need to dispel myths and address the stigma associated with the disease, which continues to isolate affected individuals from society.
Dr. S. Sivasubramaniam, Senior Scientist, called for efforts to eliminate discrimination and establish community rehabilitation measures. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), compared the stigma around leprosy to caste-based untouchability, emphasizing its devastating impact on individuals, including ostracism from their families. He stressed the importance of legal reforms, early detection, and rehabilitation to combat both the disease and its societal repercussions.
Highlighting the ongoing challenges, experts noted that there are still 750 leprosy colonies in India, where residents remain isolated from mainstream society. S. Govindaraj, Commissioner, DEPwD, pointed out that 125 districts across 14 states, including Chhattisgarh with 24 districts, continue to report significant leprosy cases. Despite advancements in treatment, ignorance and misinformation remain the biggest hurdles in addressing the disease.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India aims to achieve zero indigenous leprosy cases by 2030, but the government is targeting a “Leprosy Mukt Bharat” by 2027, three years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Experts clarified that leprosy is one of the easiest diseases to cure if detected early and emphasized that it should not be equated with deformity or disability.
Collective efforts are needed to promote awareness, ensure early diagnosis, and integrate affected individuals into society, experts urged, while reaffirming the importance of vigilance and addressing discrimination to achieve the national goal of eliminating leprosy.