LEPROSY
A. Background information
The former Leprosy Control Programme was re-designated National Leprosy “Eradication” Programme in the Year 1983 with the goal of eradicating the disease by the turn of the century. The aim is to reduce the case-load to 1 or less than 1per 10,000 population.
The revised strategy was based on :
• Early detection of Cases (by population surveys, School surveys, contact examination and Voluntary referral)
• Short term Multi-drug therapy
• Ulcer and deformity case prevention/treatment and Rehabilitation activities
• Health Education
The regimens recommended by WHO have been adapted to suit the operational and administrative requirements.
NLEP provides free domiciliary treatment in endemic districts through specially trained staff and in Moderate to low endemic districts, it provides services through mobile leprosy treatment units and Primary Health Care personnel. Treatment of leprosy cases with MDT was taken up in a phased manner. As a result, a number of cases discharged as cured are increasing progressively over the years.

Under NLEP, the State Leprosy Officer is the Chief Co-ordinator and technical advisor to the concerned State Government. At the central level, the leprosy division of Directorate General of Health Services, New Delhi is responsible for planning, supervision and monitoring the programme. The division is under the control of a Deputy Director General who advices the government on all anti – leprosy activities.

By the end of Phase II Project in March 2001 the State of Mizoram had achieved elimination level by bringing down the Prevalence Rate to 0.67 per 10,000 population. And hence, the State of Mizoram is categorized as one of the Low endemic States in the country.

The National Leprosy Eradication Phase II Project was launched with the support of World Bank by the Government of India, commencing from 1st April 2001, for a period of 3 years. It was extended till 31st December 2005. In India, 8 States/ UTs had achieved elimination level of leprosy and 22 states/ UTs were nearing the elimination stage. While in the remaining 5 states, the prevalence rate of leprosy continued to be very high. These 5 endemic states contributed 70.15% of the disease burden in the country. For project implementation plan of Phase II Project with different approaches, the states are categorized as low endemic states, moderate endemic states, and high endemic states.

B. Objectives of the programme
The NLEP Phase –II Project was launched with the following objectives:
• To achieve elimination of Leprosy at National level by the end of the project.
• To accomplish integration of Leprosy services with general health care system in the 27 low endemic states/UTs.
• To proceed with integration of services rapidly in the 8 high endemic states namely Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Uttaranchal Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Jharkhand.

Mizoram State :
Under NLEP Phase II Project, the state of Mizoram has set itself the following objective for the elimination of leprosy from the state:
“Total elimination of Leprosy from the state to bring down the current prevalence rate of Leprosy at 0.10 to 0(zero) by the end of the Project.”

Achievements (2009-2010)

-          Total Leprosy Cases detected                                           =          1398

-          New cases detected during 2009 – 2010                            =          8

-          ANCDR (Annual New Case Detection Rate)/100,000           =          0.80%

-          PR (Prevalence Rate) /10,000                                            =          0.071%

-          No. of patient currently taking treatment                             =          10.