Leprosy Training Module for Medical Officers

Epidemiology
In 1991, the World Health Assembly took a measure initiative towards
global elimination of Leprosy, an age old public health problem with
devastating effects on its sufferers. The WHO’s leadership, strong
commitment of endemic countries and active support of NGOs / VOs as well
as donor agencies have jointly helped in reducing the global situation of
Leprosy by about 90 % and the elimination level achieved in more than a
hundred countries.
Currently, only a dozen countries have Leprosy as a major problem, and
India contributes a large proportion ( 66 % ) of global Leprosy burden as
Leprosy had been widely prevalent in this vast and populous country for
centuries.
With efficient implementation of well – planned efforts since 1953 – 54,
India has also very substantially controlled Leprosy. During 1981, our country
recorded a prevalence of 57.6 cases / 10000 population, whereas, in March
2004, the prevalence had been brought down to 2.4 cases / 10000 population.
Situation at the
time of start of
NLEP - 1983
Situation as on
31. 03. 2004
1
P.R. :
57.6 cases 2.4 cases
/ 10000 Pop. / 10000 Pop.
2
Total Cases
registered
29.2 lakh
1
3.45 lakh
3
India has 66 % of the global case load .
4