**Executive Summary**
The Union Health Ministry organized a two-day regional workshop in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh, which concluded on June 12, 2026, to review leprosy program performance and strategize for zero transmission. While India achieved national-level elimination in 2005, the workshop addressed persistent transmission in endemic hotspots, particularly within five high-priority states. The event culminated in the formulation of state-specific action plans and a commitment to intensify interventions in high-endemic districts.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Epidemiological Overview (2025–26)**
* India detected 91,783 new leprosy cases, maintaining a prevalence rate of 0.56 per 10,000 population.
* Of the new cases, 4.18% were children and 2.12% presented with Grade-2 Disability (G2D) at diagnosis.
* Five states—Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh—account for nearly 50% of the national leprosy burden.
**Strategic Interventions and Prevention**
* **Case Detection:** Emphasis on periodic Leprosy Case Detection Campaigns and active case detection in endemic areas.
* **Prophylaxis:** Expansion of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) using Single-Dose Rifampicin (SDR) for healthy contacts of index cases.
* **Contact Tracing:** Strengthening contact screening and surveillance, specifically for vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations.
* **Disability Management:** Implementation of reconstructive surgeries (1,591 performed), distribution of Micro Cellular Rubber (MCR) footwear, and provision of self-care kits.
**Programmatic Framework and Integration**
* **Leveraging Platforms:** Utilizing Community-Based Assessment Checklists (CBAC), Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), and Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) for early detection.
* **Funding:** Efficient utilization of flexi-pool resources under the National Health Mission (NHM).
* **Capacity Building:** Focus on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to eliminate stigma and discrimination.
* **Collaboration:** Requirement for stronger inter-state collaboration, evidence-based microplanning, and sharing of best practices.
**Impact Analysis**
**Five High-Priority States (Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh)**
**Impact**
These states carry the highest burden of the disease, with numerous districts reporting prevalence rates above the elimination target of one case per 10,000 population.
**Action Required**
Develop and execute state-specific action plans, intensify interventions in high-endemic districts, and conduct evidence-based microplanning to interrupt transmission.
**State and District Leprosy Officers**
**Impact**
These officials are responsible for the direct implementation and monitoring of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP).
**Action Required**
Regularly review progress to identify implementation bottlenecks, utilize NHM flexi-pool resources effectively, and enhance screening through existing health platforms like RBSK and RKSK.
**Healthy Contacts of Index Cases**
**Impact**
Contacts are at a higher risk of infection and serve as a critical point for breaking the chain of transmission.
**Action Required**
Participate in contact screening and accept Single-Dose Rifampicin (SDR) as part of the Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) protocol.
**Persons Affected by Leprosy**
**Impact**
Affected individuals face risks of Grade-2 Disability and social stigma.
**Action Required**
Access early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and utilize available rehabilitation services, including reconstructive surgery and self-care kits.
Key Entities Referenced
National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP): The central health program focused on early detection, treatment, and disability prevention to eliminate leprosy in India.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The primary government ministry responsible for organizing the regional workshop and directing the strategic action plan for a leprosy-free India.
National Health Mission (NHM): The administrative and financial framework used to strengthen program implementation, provide flexi-pool resources, and ensure inter-sectoral convergence.
Single-Dose Rifampicin (SDR): A specific medical intervention for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) provided to healthy contacts of leprosy patients to break the chain of transmission.
Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh: The five high-priority states identified as accounting for nearly 50 percent of India’s total leprosy burden.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Union Health Ministry Convenes Regional
Workshop to Strengthen Strategies for a
Leprosy-Free India
India Has Made Remarkable Progress Against Leprosy, But
Intensified Efforts Are Needed in Endemic Areas”: Smt.
Aradhana Patnaik
Periodic Case Detection Campaigns and Expanded SDR
Coverage Vital to Breaking Leprosy Transmission: AS & MD
Regional Workshop Concludes with State-Specific
Roadmaps for Achieving a Leprosy-Free India
प्रव तथ: 12 JUN 2026 5:06PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards realizing the vision of a Leprosy-Free India, the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, Government of India, organized a two-day Regional Workshop on Review of Programme
Performance and Focused Strategic Action for Achieving Zero Transmission of Leprosy in Nava Raipur,
Chhattisgarh.
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Aradhana Patnaik highlighted India's remarkable achievements in reducing
the burden of leprosy and recalled that the country had attained elimination as a public health problem at
the national level in 2005. She noted, however, that transmission persists in several endemic districts and
hotspot areas, necessitating intensified and targeted interventions to interrupt transmission completely.
Underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment, she emphasized the need for
periodic Leprosy Case Detection Campaigns in endemic areas. She also called for strengthening contact
tracing and expanding the coverage of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) through Single-Dose Rifampicin
(SDR) among eligible healthy contacts of index cases, particularly in vulnerable and hard-to-reach
populations. Encouraging states to increase contact screening and PEP coverage, she noted that these
interventions are critical for reducing disease transmission and preventing new infections.Ms. Patnaik emphasized that while substantial progress has been achieved, the challenge now lies in
sustaining gains and accelerating action in the remaining endemic pockets. Stressing accountability, timely
decision-making, and effective programme implementation, she urged states to regularly review progress,
identify implementation bottlenecks, and undertake corrective measures. She highlighted the importance
of capacity building, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, and convergence under
the National Health Mission framework to strengthen programme implementation.
She further advocated leveraging Community-Based Assessment Checklists (CBAC), Rashtriya Bal
Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), and Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) platforms for
enhanced screening and early detection of leprosy. She also guided State and District Leprosy Officers on
the effective utilization of flexi-pool resources available under the National Health Mission and called
upon all participating states to maintain momentum towards achieving zero transmission.
Highlighting the epidemiological landscape, Ms. Patnaik informed participants that five high-priority
states—Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh—together account for nearly
50 percent of India's leprosy burden. She noted that these states also have a substantial number of districts
reporting prevalence rates above one case per 10,000 population, including 23 districts in Chhattisgarh, 21
in Jharkhand, 18 each in Maharashtra and Odisha, and 10 districts in Madhya Pradesh.
She further observed that while most States and Union Territories have achieved leprosy elimination
status, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Chandigarh are yet to achieve the elimination
target at the sub-national level. She emphasized that achieving zero transmission would require stronger
inter-state collaboration, evidence-based planning, intensified surveillance, sharing of best practices, and
sustained efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with the disease.Speaking at the Occasion, Dr. Sunil V. Gitte, Deputy Director General (Leprosy), informed participants
that 91,783 new leprosy cases were detected in India during 2025–26, with a prevalence rate of 0.56 per
10,000 population. Of the newly detected cases, 4.18 percent were children and 2.12 percent presented
with Grade-2 Disability at the time of diagnosis.
Highlighting ongoing efforts in disability prevention and rehabilitation, Dr. Gitte informed participants
that 1,591 reconstructive surgeries had been performed for persons affected by leprosy. In addition, more
than 1.03 lakh Micro Cellular Rubber (MCR) footwear and over 1.25 lakh self-care kits had been
distributed to support disability prevention and improve quality of life. He emphasized that active case
detection, intensified contact surveillance, post-exposure prophylaxis, timely treatment, disability
prevention, rehabilitation services, and community awareness remain critical pillars of the National
Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP). He also presented focused strategies for districts reporting
prevalence rates above one per 10,000 population, higher proportions of child cases, and increased Grade-
2 Disability among newly detected patients.
During the workshop, participating states presented detailed reviews of programme performance,
including trends in new case detection, treatment completion, contact tracing and follow-up, disability
prevention and medical rehabilitation services, and IEC initiatives. States also showcased innovative
practices and successful field models that have contributed to improved case detection, enhanced
treatment adherence, stronger community engagement, and reduction in disability among affected persons.
Interactive technical sessions witnessed extensive deliberations among senior officials from the
Government of India, representatives of participating states, WHO experts, technical institutions, and
development partners. Discussions focused on district-specific challenges and practical solutions for
improving programme outcomes through evidence-based microplanning, strengthened surveillance,
enhanced community participation, stigma reduction, social and behaviour change communication, and
improved treatment compliance.
The workshop concluded with the formulation of state-specific action plans and a renewed commitment
from participating states to intensify interventions in high-endemic districts. Participants expressed
confidence that coordinated efforts by the Government of India, state governments, technical institutions,development partners, and communities would significantly accelerate progress towards achieving the
shared vision of a leprosy-free, disability-free, and transmission-free India.
The workshop was chaired by Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director
(National Health Mission), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It was attended
by Shri Amit Kataria, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Chhattisgarh;
Shri Sanjeev Kumar Jha, Commissioner-cum-Director, Health Services and Mission Director, National
Health Mission, Chhattisgarh; Shri Nikhil Gajraj, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
Government of India; Dr. Sunil V. Gitte, Deputy Director General (Leprosy); along with Mission
Directors, State Leprosy Officers, Regional Directors, and senior programme officials from participating
states.
The workshop brought together nearly 200 participants, including State and District Leprosy Officers,
senior officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, public health experts, representatives of the
World Health Organization (WHO), Directors of Central and Regional Leprosy Training and Research
Institutes, programme managers, technical experts, and development partners including the International
Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP) and the Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation (SILF).
Representatives from five high-priority states—Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand,
and Odisha—participated in the deliberations and shared experiences from the field.
*****
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HFW/ 2 Day Regional Workshop on Leprosy /12 June 2026/1
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