National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Leprosy

The Government of India has launched the National Strategic Plan (NSP) and Roadmap for Leprosy (2023-2027) with the goal of achieving zero transmission of leprosy by 2027

• The National Strategic Plan (NSP) and Roadmap for Leprosy (2023-2027)aims to achieve zero transmission by 2027, three years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goal target.
• The plan focuses on early detection, awareness, and prevention strategies to stop the spread of leprosy.
• India accounts for over half of the global leprosy cases, despite significant progress in disease control.
• Leprosy remains prevalent in five states: Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Odisha.
• The Union Health Ministry is implementing a targeted approach after having achieved elimination as a public health problem in 2005.
• A new three-drug regimen(dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine) has been introduced to halt transmission by 2027.
• Globally, leprosy affects over 120 countries, with around 200,000 new cases reported annually.