**Executive Summary**
This document provides an update on the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), highlighting intensified government efforts to eliminate leprosy through multi-pronged strategies. Key initiatives include active case detection, community surveillance, and awareness campaigns. The program aims for early detection, treatment, and stigma reduction, with a target of sustained case detection. The update was released on 10 March 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)**
* A centrally sponsored scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM).
* Funds are allocated based on State/UT specific Programme Implementation Plans and their absorption capacity.
* Aims to address the persistent detection of over 1,00,000 new leprosy cases annually in India.
* **Government Initiatives to Improve Leprosy Situation**
* **Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC):** Conducts house-to-house surveys in high-burden villages and urban areas.
* **Focused Leprosy Campaign (FLC):** Targets active case search for new cases with Grade 2 Disability (G2D), reaching surrounding households or entire villages. Special plans are in place for hard-to-reach areas, offering services through community participation.
* **ASHA-based Surveillance for Leprosy Suspects (ABSULS):** Integrated into routine activities in districts not covered by LCDC.
* **Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC):** Organised nationwide for general awareness, stigma reduction, and combating discrimination against persons with leprosy. Launched on 30th January (Anti Leprosy Day) since 2017.
* **Programmatic Interventions**
* **Integration with General Healthcare:** Leprosy services are integrated with the healthcare system at various levels, including Sub-Centres, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, District Hospitals, and tertiary care institutions.
* **Capacity Building:** Regular training is conducted for Medical Officers, ASHAs, ANMs, and other frontline health workers for early identification, referral, and treatment.
* **Intensified Active Case Detection:** LCDC and FLC are implemented in high-risk and vulnerable areas for early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
* **Transmission Interruption:** Contact tracing is conducted, and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is administered to eligible contacts of index cases.
* **Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation:** Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) services are provided, including reaction management, self-care training, assistive devices, Micro-Cellular Rubber (MCR) footwear, and reconstructive surgery.
* **Data Accessibility**
* State-wise and district-wise leprosy data can be accessed on the official DGHS website under the NLEP section.
**Impact Analysis**
* **General Public**
* **Impact:** Increased awareness about leprosy, reduced stigma and discrimination, and improved access to early detection and treatment services.
* **Action Required:** Participate in awareness campaigns and seek medical attention if symptoms are present.
* **Healthcare Workers (Medical Officers, ASHAs, ANMs, Frontline Health Workers)**
* **Impact:** Enhanced capacity for early identification, referral, and treatment of leprosy cases through regular training and the implementation of various detection campaigns.
* **Action Required:** Actively participate in training programs and implement NLEP initiatives, including LCDC, FLC, and ABSULS, in their respective areas.
* **Individuals with Leprosy**
* **Impact:** Better access to prompt diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation services, including disability prevention and management.
* **Action Required:** Seek timely medical intervention and participate in rehabilitation programs.
* **State and District Health Administrations**
* **Impact:** Receive funds and guidance to implement NLEP activities, leading to strengthened leprosy control programs and improved case detection and management.
* **Action Required:** Develop and implement State/UT specific Programme Implementation Plans, utilize funds effectively, and ensure the integration of leprosy services into the general healthcare system.
* **Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)**
* **Impact:** Oversees and intensifies national efforts to eliminate leprosy through centralized sponsorship and allocation of funds, leading to improved public health outcomes.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor program implementation, allocate resources, and strategize for sustained leprosy elimination efforts.
Key Entities Referenced
National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP): A centrally sponsored scheme aimed at leprosy elimination efforts, including detection, treatment, and stigma reduction.
Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC): An initiative involving house-to-house surveys for leprosy case detection in high-burden districts.
Focused Leprosy Campaign (FLC): An active case search strategy targeting specific areas and households when a new case with Grade 2 Disability is detected.
Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC): An activity under NLEP focused on general awareness and reducing stigma and discrimination related to leprosy.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The primary government ministry overseeing the National Leprosy Eradication Programme.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on NLEP
Government Intensifies Leprosy Elimination Efforts Through
LCDC, FLC and Nationwide Awareness Campaigns
Multi-Pronged Strategy Adopted for Early Detection,
Treatment and Stigma Reduction in Leprosy
Active Case Detection, Community Surveillance and
Rehabilitation Services Strengthen Leprosy Control
Programme
Posted On: 10 MAR 2026 6:17PM by PIB Delhi
The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) is a centrally sponsored scheme under the
overarching umbrella of National Health Mission (NHM). Funds are allocated to the programme activities
under NHM on the basis of State/UT specific Programme Implementation Plans and States/UTs are
required to utilize funds as per their need, priority and on the basis of their absorption capacity.
Leprosy is a chronic disease which leads to delayed manifestation of symptoms. The persistence of
reported leprosy cases is attributed to the long incubation period of the disease, which can range from 5 to
20 years. India has continued to report more than 1,00,000 new leprosy cases annually over the years and
accounts for a significant proportion of the global leprosy burden. In addition, ongoing transmission in
certain high-endemic pockets, improved surveillance and active case detection activities under the
National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), and increased awareness resulting in higher reporting
contribute to sustained detection of cases.
The following steps have been taken by Government to improve the Situation:
Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC): House-to-House surveys in villages and urban areas in
identified high burden districts
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-reach areas: Provision of leprosy
services through community participation.
ASHA-based surveillance for leprosy suspects (ABSULS) in districts not covered under LCDC to
be integrated in the routine activities and continued.
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) werelaunched on 30th January, 2017 i.e., Anti Leprosy 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), Community Health Centres (CHCs),
District Hospitals and tertiary care institutions.
Regular training and capacity-building programmes are conducted for Medical Officers, ASHAs,
ANMs and other frontline health workers for early identification, referral and treatment of leprosy.
Intensified active case detection through Leprosy Case Detection Campaigns (LCDC) and Focused
Leprosy Campaigns (FLC) are undertaken in high-risk and vulnerable areas to ensure early
diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment.
Contact tracing is carried out and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is administered to eligible
contacts of index cases to interrupt 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.
Details of state-wise and district-wise leprosy data can be accessed through the official DGHS website (htt
ps://dghs.mohfw.gov.in/nlep.php) under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP).
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel stated this in a written
reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
****
SR
HFW/ Update on NLEP/10 March 2026/7
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