Leprosy is an age-old disease and is described in the literature of ancient civilizations. It is a chronic infectious disease which is caused by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. The disease affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes. Leprosy is curable and treatment in the early stages can prevent disability. Apart from the physical deformity, persons affected by leprosy also face stigmatization and discrimination

1. NATIONAL LEPROSY
ERADICATION PROGRAMME
PRESENTED BY: SHEETAL SHARMA
M.SC. (N) 2ND YEAR

2. LEPROSY
 Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by a bacillus, Mycobacterium
leprae. M leprae multiplies slowly and the incubation period of the disease, on
average, is 5 years. Symptoms may occur within 1 year but can also take as long
as 20 years or even more.
 Leprosy mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper
respiratory tract, and the eyes. The disease is curable with multidrug therapy.
 Leprosy is likely transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close
and frequent contact with untreated cases. Untreated, leprosy can cause
progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes.

3. DISABILITY IN LEPROSY
 Disability in leprosy is defined by the WHO grading system:
 Grade 0−absence of disability (no anesthesia) and no visible damage or
deformity on eyes, hands, or feet.
 Grade 1−loss of protective sensibility on eyes, hands, and feet.
 Grade 2−presence of deformities or visible damage to the eyes, hands,
or feet.

4. ERADICATION
 The word "Eradication" is derived from Latin word "radix" which means
"root". It may refer to:
 Eradication of infectious diseases (human), the reduction of the global
incidence of an infectious disease in humans to zero
 Eradication of infectious diseases (animal), the reduction of the global
incidence of an infectious disease in its animal host(s) to zero

5. THE NLEP EMBLEM
 Symbolizes beauty and purity in lotus.
 Leprosy can be cured and leprosy patient
can be useful member of society.
 A normal fore-finger and a shape of
house.
 The symbol of hope and optimistic in a
rising sun
 The Emblem captures the spirit of hope
positive action in the eradication of
leprosy.

6. INTRODUCTION
 National Leprosy Control Programme (NLCP) was launched by the Govt.
of India in 1954- 55.
 Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) came into wide use from 1982, and the
National Leprosy Eradication Programme was introduced in 1983.
 The strategy of NLEP was based on controlling the disease through
reduction in the quantum of infection in the population and reduction in
infective source, thus breaking the chain of disease transmission

7. CONT..
 The programme was initially taken up in endemic districts and was extended
to all districts in the country from 1993-94 with World Bank Assistant.
 Research & Training Institutes were established directly under DGHS,
namely:
 Central Leprosy Training and Research Institute Institutes (CLTRI)
Chengalpattu.

9. CONT..
 Regional Leprosy Training and Research Institute (RLTRI) at Raipur,
Gauripur and Aska.

10. CONT..
 In addition, a Training Centre was established at Agra under ICMR.
Remarkable progress has been achieved in reducing the disease burden
in the country.
 India achieved the goal set by the National Health Policy, 2002 of
elimination of leprosy as a public health problem, defined as less than 1
case per 10,000 population, at the National level in December 2005.

11. VISION
AND
MISSION OF NLEP

12. NATIONAL LEPROSY ERADICATION
PROGRAMME
VISION:
“Leprosy-free India” is the vision
of the NLEP.
MISSION:
The NLEP’s mission is to provide quality
leprosy services free of cost to all sections of
the population, with easy accessibility,
through the integrated healthcare system,
including care for disability after cure of the
disease.

13. OBJECTIVES

14. OBJECTIVES OF NLEP
 To reduce Prevalence rate less than 1/10,000 population at sub national and
district level.
 To reduce Grade II disability % < 1 among new cases at National level.
 To reduce Grade II disability cases < 1 case per million population at National
level.
 Zero disabilities among new Child cases.
 Zero stigma and discrimination against persons affected by leprosy.

15. STRATEGIES

16. STRATEGIES OF NLEP
 Integrated anti-leprosy services through General Health Care system.
 Early detection and complete treatment of new leprosy cases.
 Carrying out household contact survey for early detection of cases.
 Involvement of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) in the detection and
completion of treatment of Leprosy cases on time.
 Strengthening of Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR)
services.

17. Cont..
 Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities in the
community to improve self-reporting to Primary Health Centre
(PHC) and reduction of stigma.
 Intensive monitoring and supervision at Health and Wellness
Centers and Block Primary Health Centre/Community Health
Centre.

18. COMPONENTS
OF
NLEP

19. COMPONENTS OF NLEP
 Case Detection and Management.
 Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR).
 Information, Education and Communication (IEC) including Behaviour
Change Communication (BCC)
 Human Resource and Capacity building.
 Programme Management.

20. FEATURES OF NLEP
1. Leprosy Eradication programme is a centrally sponsored scheme of
Government of India.
2. NLEP functions under the umbrella of National Health Mission (NHM).
3. NLEP follows decentralized health planning and funds are sent to the states
through State Health Societies.

21. CONT..
4. Quality of services and sustainability is the main focus.
5. Disability Prevention & Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) is a priority
6. Removal of stigma and discrimination is a part of the strategy.

22. ACTIVITIES OF NLEP

23. ACTIVITIES UNDER NLEP
 DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF LEPROSY-
Free of cost Services for diagnosis and treatment (Multi drug therapy) are
provided by all public health care facilities like primary health centres, govt.
dispensaries, CHC, DH and Medical colleges throughout the country. Difficult
to diagnose, complicated cases, reaction cases and G2D cases requiring
reconstructive surgery are referred to district hospital for further management.
All drugs, diagnostics and surgical /non surgical interventions are provided free
of cost to all patients of leprosy across the board.

24. CAPACITY BUILDING
 Training of general health staff like Medical Officer, health workers,
health supervisors, laboratory technicians and ASHAs are conducted
every year to develop adequate skills for diagnosis and management
of leprosy cases.

25. DISABILITY PREVENTION AND
MEDICAL REHABILITATION
 For 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 trainings in self-care procedure for preventing
aggravating disability to the insensitive hands/feets. Emphasis is also being placed on
correction of permanent disability through reconstructive surgeries (RCS). To
strengthen RCS services, GOI has identified 112 institutions for conducting RCS based
on the recommendations of the state governments. Out of these, 60 are Govt.
Institutions and 52 are NGO institutions. The patients concerned are provided RCS
facility not only free of cost, but are also paid welfare allowances.

26. SUPERVISION AND MONITORING
 Programme is being monitored at different level through analysis of
monthly progress reports, through field visits by the supervisory
officers and programme review meetings held at central, state and
district level. 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 team with members of
GOI, ILEP and WHO

27. NGO SERVICES UNDER SET SCHEME
 NGOs are getting grants from Govt. of India under Survey,
Education and Treatment (SET) scheme. Various activities
undertaken by the NGOs are IEC, Prevention of Impairments and
Deformities, Case Detection and MDT Delivery. From Financial
year 2006 onwards, Grant-in-aid is being disbursed to NGOs
through State Health Societies.

28. ACHIEVEMENTS DURING 2020:
 Percentage of Grade II Disability (G2D)/visible deformity among new
cases decreased from 3.05% in 2018-19 to 2.39% (2019-20).
 The G2D amongst new cases/ million population decreased from
2.65/million population as on 31st March, 2019 to 1.94/million population
as on 31st March 2020.
 Child cases percentage has reduced from 7.67% as on 31st March 2019 to
6.86 % as on 31st March 2020.

29. CONT…
 Prioritization of the Districts to reduce the leprosy Burden: The World
Health Organization (WHO) facilitated an independent evaluation of
NLEP from 1 to 14 November 2019. Districts were prioritized based on
the leprosy burden. Annual new cases detected, ANCDR, G2D rate,
prevalence rate during 2008-2018 were taken into consideration for
categorization of the districts

30. NEW INITIATIVES OF NLEP
 Enhanced active & early case detection strategy has been introduced through
ACD&RS (Active Case Detection and Regular Surveillance strategy throughout the
year).
 Convergence of leprosy screening for targeting different age groups like under
RBSK (for 0-18 years), RKSK (13-19 years), and CPHC – Ayushman Bharat
(above 30+ years 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.

31. CONT..
 For prevention of leprosy amongst contacts: Post Exposure
chemoprophylaxis administration (PEP).
 Awareness Activities
 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.

32. SPARSH LEPROSY AWARENESS
CAMPAIGN
 Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign 2018: at a glance SLAC 2018 was
focused to reach to the doorstep of the community with intention to
increase participation of the community.
 The thrust of SLAC 2018 was to promote community participation to
reduce stigma & discrimination against leprosy and enhance early case
reporting.

33. CONT..
 Major activities conducted on 30th January 2018 in Gram Sabha meetings in
villages were as under:
1. Declaration by District Magistrate (read by DM/ other Sr. Distt./ Block
administrator if available/ Gram Sabha Pramukh)
2. Speech from Gram Sabha Pramukh
3. Any IEC activity like nukkad natak, role play, essay writing, songs on leprosy
through folk media, poem reading, kathputli etc. or as decided by Panchayat and
dissemination of IEC message through NLEP mascot ‘Sapna’.

34. CONT..
4. Questions and Answers session based on FAQ provided
5. Vote of thanks by community persons preferably by a willing person affected
if available.

35. Cont..
 Sapna” is a concept designed and developed keeping in view of a common
girl living in community, who will help to spread awareness in the
community, through key IEC messages. Sapna can be local school going
girl who is willing to be ‘Sapna’ from the same locality preferably, there
could be any number of Sapna in a village.

36. CONT..
 Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign, 2019: Institutional Framework Inspired
by the tremendous success of last two year’s Sparsh Leprosy Awareness
Campaign 2017 and 2018, this year it is envisaged to reach to the community
with intention to increase participation of the community by showcasing the
contribution of Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi for anti leprosy work.

37. CONT…
 In October 2019, Nation will be celebrating the 150th Birth
Anniversary of Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi, this opportunity
will be utilized and contribution of Mahatma Gandhi will be utilized
to influence the community which will help in reduction of stigma
& discrimination against leprosy.

40. ROLE OF
COMMUNITY
HEALTH NURSE
IN NLEP

41. SUMMARY

42. CONCLUSION

43. RECAPTUALIZATION
1. Expand NLEP.
2. What do you mean by Leprosy?
3. In which year NLEP launched?
4. What are the vision of NLEP?
5. What are the objectives of NLEP?
6. What are the activities of NLEP?
7. What are the achievements of NLEP in
2020?

44. CONT..
8. What are the new initiatives of NLEP?
9. Expand SLAC.
10. What is Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign?
11. When leprosy day is observed?

45. REFRENCES
 Park, K. (2015). Park’s textbook of preventive and social medicine (23rd edition).
Bhanot Publisher.
 Kumari N, (2011). A Textbook of community health nursing, Jalandhar. S. Vikas
and company (medical) India.
 Introduction and activities http://dghs.gov.in.
 Components and objectives https://nhm.gov.in.
 Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign https://vikaspedia.in.