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Background
NATIONAL LEPROSY ERADICATION PROGRAMME (NLEP)

The National Leprosy Control Programme (NLCP) was launched by the GOI in 1955 with the primary aim of controlling leprosy through early detection and treatment, initially using Dapsone monotherapy.In the early 1980s, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) as a game-changer in leprosy treatment. Responding to this, India restructured NLCP into the National Leprosy Eradication Programme(NLEP) in 1983, shifting the focus from control to elimination. MDT was introduced nationwide, and the programme adopted strategies to reduce transmission by detecting and treating all cases promptly. With World Bank assistance, NLEP was expanded to all districts by 1993–94, and in line with the National Health Policy 2002, India set a national goal to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem (defined as less than 1 case per 10,000 populations). This goal was successfully achieved at the national level in December 2005. Post-elimination, NLEP has focused on sustaining low prevalence, early case detection, reducing Grade II disabilities, and minimizing stigma through community engagement. Services have been integrated into the general healthcare system, supported by training and research institutes such as the Central Leprosy Teaching and Research Institute (CLTRI), Chengalpattu, and Regional Leprosy Training and Research Institutes (RLTRIs) in Raipur, Gauripur, and Aska.. The programme also emphasizes the role of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), household contact surveys, and use of digital platforms like Nikusth for case tracking. NLEP continues to work toward a leprosy-free India by sustaining elimination status, promoting rehabilitation, and eliminating discrimination against persons affected by leprosy

NLEP
Activities under NLEP:
Diagnosis and treatment of leprosy-

Free of cost Services for diagnosis and treatment (MDT) are provided by all public health care facilities including PHCs, CHC, DH, and Medical colleges throughout the country.

Difficult to diagnose, complicated cases, reaction cases, and G2D cases requiring reconstructive surgery (RCS) are referred to the district hospital for further management.

Capacity building-

Training of general health staff like Medical Officers, health workers, health supervisors, laboratory technicians, and ASHAs is conducted every year to develop adequate skills for diagnosis and management of leprosy cases.

IEC and counselling

Intensive IEC activities are conducted to generate awareness, which will help in the reduction of stigma and discrimination associated with persons affected by leprosy.

These activities are carried out through mass media, outdoor media, rural media, and advocacy meetings. Major focus is also given on interpersonal communication.

Revised Classification and Treatment Protocol (Effective April 1, 2025)

In 2023, India revised the classification and treatment protocols for leprosy in alignment with WHO recommendations. The updated protocol has been officially implemented nationwide from April 1, 2025.

A 3-drug MDT regimen (Rifampicin, Dapsone, and Clofazimine) is now used for both PB and MB cases, enhancing uniformity and operational efficiency across public health facilities. The revised classification also emphasizes early detection based on lesion count and nerve involvement to minimize delays in treatment initiation.

Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation

For the prevention and management of disability, dressing material, supportive medicines, and micro-cellular rubber (MCR) footwear are provided to leprosy patients.

The patients are also empowered with training in self-care procedures for preventing aggravating disability to the insensitive hands/feet.Emphasis is also being placed on correction of permanent disability through reconstructive surgeries (RCS). To strengthen. The patients concerned are provided RCS facility not only free of cost, but are also paid welfare allowances.

Supervision and Monitoring

Programme is being monitored at different levels through analysis of monthly progress reports, through field visits by the supervisory officers, and programme review meetings held at central, state, and district levels.

For better epidemiological analysis of the disease situation, emphasis is put on assessment of New Case Detection and Treatment Completion Rate and proportion of grade II disability among new cases. Visits by Joint monitoring Teams with members from the GOI, ILEP, and WHO have been an integral part of NLEP.

Key Initiatives:

Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (14 days) in high endemic districts.

Focused Leprosy Campaign (FLC) in low endemic districts for case detection.

Special plans for Hard-to-Reach areas for early case detection and treatment.

ASHA Based Surveillance for Leprosy Suspects (ABSULS)- in low endemic districts Focused Leprosy Campaign (FLC) in low endemic districts.

Monitoring and Supervision - Regular national, state, and district-level review meetings and field visits are conducted to ensure programme performance, data quality, and treatment outcomes.

Convergence of leprosy screening under NHM: Convergence of leprosy screening for targeting different age groups like under RBSK (for 0-18 yrs), RKSK (13-19 yrs), and CPHC – Ayushman Bharat (above 30+ yrs population).

Timely referral and follow up for treatment completion on time through Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) available free of cost in all public health facilities.

For prevention of leprosy amongst contacts: Post Exposure chemoprophylaxis administration (PEP) with Single dose of Rifampicin (SDR) given to the eligible contacts of index case in order to interrupt the chain of transmission.

Reconstructive Surgeries (RCS) are conducted at District Hospitals/Medical Colleges/ Central Leprosy Institutes, and welfare allowance @ Rs 12,000/- is paid to each patient undergoing RCS.

IEC & Training : Routine IEC activities are conducted by states and districts throughout the year, Special Annual Mass Awareness campaigns named Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaigns (SLAC) were launched on 30th January, 2017 i.e., Anti Leprosy Day, to reduce stigma and discrimination against persons suffering from leprosy. Since then every year, nationwide Gram Sabhas in villages across the country are being organised in cooperation and coordination with allied sectors of health department. Appropriate messages from District Magistrates and appeals from Gram Sabha Pramukh (Heads of Village councils) to reduce discrimination against persons affected with leprosy are read out; pledge is taken by all Gram Sabha members to reduce the burden of disease in the community, and felicitation of persons affected with leprosy is done. Village community is encouraged to participate in these meetings, and school children are encouraged to spread awareness about the disease through plays, posters etc.

National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2023 – 2027

The National Strategic Plan and Roadmap for Leprosy 2023–2027 serves as India’s forward looking framework to achieve interruption of leprosy transmission at the district level by 2027. Developed in consultation with national experts, WHO, and key stakeholders, the plan aligns with the WHO Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030 and reflects India’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The NSP promotes a patient-centric, rights-based approach to leprosy control and elimination. It is anchored on five strategic pillars:

Leadership, Coordination, and Partnerships: Focuses on strengthening political commitment, inter-sectoral collaboration, and accountability at national, state, and district levels to ensure cohesive programme implementation.

Accelerated Case Detection: Emphasizes proactive case finding through Active Case Detection Campaigns (ACDC), contact tracing, Focused Leprosy Campaigns (FLC), and integration with other health programmes to identify cases early and interrupt transmission.

Comprehensive, Quality Leprosy Services: Ensures universal access to free diagnosis, treatment (MDT), disability care, reconstructive surgery, counseling, and post-treatment support through the general health system.

Prevention of Disease, Disabilities, and Discrimination: Aims to prevent Grade II disabilities and reduce stigma through Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), disability prevention strategies, community engagement, and behavioral change communication

Robust Surveillance and Health Information Systems: Strengthens digital platforms like Nikusth 2.0, enables real-time case tracking, and supports data-driven planning, monitoring, and reporting across all administrative levels.

Contact Info

Nirman Bhawan , New Delhi cld-dghs[at]gov[com]in +91 11-23061799

Opening Time

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09.30 am to 06.00 pm

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