Why in News?
In October 2025 the Maharashtra government made leprosy a notifiable disease, directing all health facilities to report any diagnosed case within two weeks. The move aims to improve surveillance and ensure early diagnosis and treatment, with the goal of eliminating leprosy in the state by 2027. Similar notifications were previously issued at the national level, but state‑specific enforcement had lagged.
Background
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves and eyes. Untreated cases can lead to deformities, disability and social stigma. India officially achieved the elimination target (less than one case per 10,000 population) in 2005, yet the country still accounts for over half of new global cases each year. The Union government reinstated leprosy as a notifiable disease in 2017 to strengthen surveillance. A notifiable disease is one that must be reported to public health authorities so that outbreaks can be detected and controlled promptly.
Key points of the notification
- Mandatory reporting: Government and private hospitals, clinics and laboratories must report confirmed leprosy cases to district health officers within 14 days. Failure to do so may attract penalties under public health laws.
- Early detection and treatment: Surveillance teams will track contacts of patients, offer free diagnosis and multi‑drug therapy (MDT) and provide counselling to reduce stigma.
- Target of elimination: Maharashtra aims for a leprosy‑free status by 2027. As of September 2025, the state had over 13,000 people under treatment and around 7,800 new cases reported in the previous year.
- Awareness campaigns: Public information drives will educate communities about signs of leprosy, emphasise that the disease is curable and promote inclusive attitudes towards those affected.
Why this is important
- Strengthening public health surveillance: Timely reporting helps identify hotspots, allocate resources and prevent further transmission.
- Reducing disability and stigma: Early treatment prevents nerve damage and deformities, while counselling programmes combat discrimination rooted in myths and fear.
- Meeting national goals: Maharashtra’s initiative aligns with India’s National Strategic Plan and the global WHO strategy to reduce the burden of leprosy.
Sources: The Indian Express