Government To Notify Leprosy Under Epidemic Act For Stronger Response

India, despite achieving leprosy elimination as a public health problem in 2005, still accounts for nearly 59% of global new cases annually. The move to classify leprosy as a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Act is aimed at closing gaps in reporting, particularly from private healthcare facilities, and ensuring standardized treatment.  

Strengthening Surveillance  

Mandatory notification will require government and private hospitals, clinics, and practitioners to report every diagnosed or suspected case to district leprosy officers. This will allow authorities to track hidden cases, deploy contact tracing, and provide free multi-drug therapy (MDT) to patients.  

Public Health Impact  

Officials emphasize that leprosy is completely curable, but untreated cases continue to spread due to stigma and underreporting. By making it notifiable, the government hopes to normalize the disease as a treatable condition, reduce discrimination, and improve compliance with therapy.  

National And Global Context  

States like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and West Bengal have already made leprosy notifiable. The World Health Organization has also recommended mandatory notification to strengthen India’s National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) and achieve the goal of interrupting transmission by 2030.  

Key Highlights  

• Leprosy to be notified under Epidemic Diseases Act  
• Mandatory reporting by all healthcare providers  
• India still accounts for 59% of global new cases  
• Free multi-drug therapy available in government facilities  
• Move aims to reduce stigma and improve compliance  

Sources: Hindustan Times, Times of India, Lokmat