The Leprosy Mission Trust India
ILEP’S MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS ARE WORKING
TOGETHER FOR A WORLD FREE FROM LEPROSY
“Towards zero leprosy” became a popular catchphrase in 2021, when the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched it as the title of the Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030. The global strategy was a seismic shift from the earlier goal of “elimination of leprosy as a public health problem” to a more ambitious target of achieving “zero leprosy”, which comprises zero infection/disease, zero disability, and zero stigma/discrimination.
The strategy, which has interruption of transmission and elimination of disease at its core, has four pillars:
- implement integrated, country-owned zero leprosy road maps in all endemic countries;
- scale up leprosy prevention alongside integrated active case detection;
- manage leprosy and its complications and prevent new disability; and
- combat stigma and ensure human rights are respected
The National Strategic Plan and Roadmap for Leprosy 2023–2027 also endorses the concept of “towards zero leprosy” anchored in five strategic pillars:
Leadership, Coordination, and Partnerships: Strengthen political commitment, inter-sectoral collaboration, and accountability at national, state, and district levels.
Accelerated Case Detection: 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: Universal access to free diagnosis, treatment (MDT), disability care, reconstructive surgery, counselling, and post-treatment support through the general health system.
Prevention of Disease, Disabilities, and Discrimination: Prevent Grade II disabilities and reduce stigma through Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP),
Robust Surveillance and Health Information Systems: Strengthen digital platforms like Nikusth 2.0, enable real-time case tracking, and support data-driven planning, monitoring, and reporting across all administrative levels.
ILEP India members have contributed to the development of both these strategies. They also support the implementation of these strategic plans and the National Leprosy Eradication Programme through multiple programmatic interventions – healthcare, community rehabilitation, research, and policy advocacy across the country.
