Parliament Question: Elimination of leprosy-related discrimination and stigma

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3648 TO BE ANSWERED ON24.03.2026 ELIMINATIONOFLEPROSY-RELATED DISCRIMINATIONAND STIGMA 3648.SHRIS.R.SIVALINGAM: Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:- (a) whether Government has taken steps to eliminate leprosy-related discrimination and stigma across the country; (b) if so, the details of measures and legal reforms implemented by Government to address such discriminationandprotect rightsof leprosy-affectedpersons; and (c) whether Government plans further actions to eradicate leprosy and associated stigma, including strengthening healthcare infrastructure, enhancing awareness campaigns, supporting rehabilitation of affected persons and promoting research for effective treatment andprevention? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL) (a) to (c) : Health is a state subject. All the programmes are implemented by the respective States/UTs. Government of India provides technical and financial assistance to states/UTs as per the approved annual Programme Implementation Plan (PIP). The responsibility for strengthening of healthcare system including rural areas lies with respective State/Union Territory Government. The following steps have beentaken byGovernment toimprove the Situation:  Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC): House-to-House surveys in villages and urbanareasinidentified highburdendistricts  Focused Leprosy Campaign (FLC): Active case search where a new case with Grade 2 Disability (G2D) is detected, this search targets 300 surrounding households in urban areas or the entire village in rural areas Special plan for active case search in hard-to-reachareas: Provision of leprosy services through communityparticipation.  ASHA-based surveillance for leprosy suspects (ABSULS) in districts not covered underLCDC tobe integratedin the routine activitiesandcontinued.  Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC) is an activity under NLEP organized across the country for general awareness upto village level and reducing stigma and discrimination. Special Annual Mass Awareness campaigns named Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaigns (SLAC) were launched on 30th January, 2017 i.e. AntiLeprosy Day, to reduce stigma and discrimination against persons suffering from leprosy.  Leprosy services are integrated with the general health care system through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs at Sub-Centres, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), CommunityHealthCentres(CHCs), District Hospitals andtertiarycare institutions.  Regular training and capacity-building programmes are conducted for Medical Officers, ASHAs, ANMs and other frontline health workers for early identification, referral andtreatment of leprosy.  Intensified active case detection through Leprosy Case Detection Campaigns (LCDC) and Focused Leprosy Campaigns (FLC) are undertaken in high-risk and vulnerable areastoensure earlydiagnosis andprompt initiationof treatment.  Contact tracing is carried out and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)is administered to eligiblecontacts of indexcases tointerrupt transmission.  Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) services are provided as per programme guidelines, including reaction management, self-care training, provision of assistive devices, Micro-Cellular Rubber (MCR) footwear and reconstructive surgery. *****