Leprosy Update

22/01/2026

Leprosy is completely curable when detected and treated early. This Anti-Leprosy Day, let’s stand with those affected and work together to end stigma and discrimination.

21/01/2026

https://www.easterneye.biz/lepra-iec-units-leprosy/

During the past year, Lepra’s new IEC mobile unit in Jharkhand, India, has become a vital source of health information on the disease

14/01/2026

World Leprosy Day is observed annually on the last Sunday of January. In 2026, World Leprosy Day falls on 25 January. This international day presents an opportunity to celebrate individuals who have experienced leprosy, raise awareness about the disease, and advocate for the elimination of leprosy-related stigma and discrimination. The theme for World Leprosy Day 2026 is 'Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma.' This theme serves as a call to action, aiming to raise awareness of leprosy, highlight the challenges faced by persons affected by leprosy, and inspire collaborative action to eliminate leprosy.

World Leprosy Day (WLD) is celebrated on the last Sunday of January.

13/01/2026

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/andhra-pradesh-sets-up-task-force-to-strengthen-infectious-disease-control/article70449739.ece/amp/

Andhra Pradesh establishes a State-Level Task Force to enhance prevention and control of infectious diseases.

17/12/2025

This Christmas, we invite you to share the gift of healing. 💝

Become a Secret Santa this Christmas. Your donation can provide mobility, protection, and education to children affected by leprosy. Bring healing and hope.

12/12/2025

The Maharashtra Legislative Council passed an amendment to the Prevention of Begging Act 1959, removing derogatory references to “leprosy” and “leper” as mandated by a Supreme Court ruling. The government pledged to enforce the law and rehabilitate beggars. Despite opposition concerns regarding bill inconsistencies, Maharashtra became the first state to amend the law post-SC directive.

Maharashtra's Legislative Council passed a bill amending the Prevention of Begging Act, removing derogatory terms and promising stronger rehabilitation efforts for beggars.

10/12/2025

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/early-detection-drive-flags-new-leprosy-cases-10411542/

According to Dr Bhagyashree Patil Thopte, Assistant Director of Health Services (Leprosy), Pune, entire teams from district health office, Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation participated in the exercise.

04/12/2025

Taking the leap: on leprosy in India and discrimination

Systematic efforts are required to eliminate stigma, that are often seeded by fear, misinformation or ancient beliefs, and to remove the discriminatory attitudes towards those affected. The Supreme Court of India’s intervention to battle stigma and discrimination in the case of leprosy is a corrective action that could not have been delayed any further. On a direction from the Court, the NHRC recently submitted that 97 central and State laws continue to contain provisions that discriminate against persons with leprosy. In sum and substance, these provisions deny access to things as basic as public transport and public spaces, right to run for elected office, and access to employment, or running a business venture. The Court was hearing a batch of petitions contending that there were a number of provisions across central and State statutes that discriminate against persons with leprosy. Caused mainly by the bacterium, Mycobacterium leprae, leprosy is among the earliest known infections to affect humans, with skeletal evidence dating back to 2000 BCE. Today, India continues to report about 57 % of leprosy cases worldwide, with genetic predisposition and living in unsanitary conditions raising the susceptibility. The NHRC, which has been in pursuit of this issue since 2021, first put out a comprehensive document that recommended early identification, timely treatment, rehabilitation, and removing discriminatory practices to ensure dignity and equal access to fundamental rights for persons with leprosy. This includes a plea to the Centre to enact a law to replace derogatory terminology that persists in the laws of the land, and a pointed recommendation to the Unique Identification Authority of India to promote the use of iris scans for Aadhaar enrolment, as leprosy primarily affects the fingertips, through nerve damage.

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/taking-the-leap-on-leprosy-in-india-and-discriminatioin/article70353527.ece

02/12/2025

The state public health department recently launched a special screening programme in all 36 districts wherein 4,211 new leprosy cases including 107 in Pune were detected between Nov 17 and 29.

The special drive saw Mumbai city and suburbs report 87 cases, with the highest numbers in Chandrapur (307), Satara (265) and Nagpur and Gadchiroli (245 each).

State health department's deputy director (leprosy and TB) Dr Radhakishan Pawar said the drive would continue till Dec 2 and number of affected people was likely to increase after suspected cases were confirmed in the next 20 days.

Pune: The state public health department recently launched a special screening programme in all 36 districts wherein 4,211 new leprosy cases including.

29/11/2025

https://punemirror.com/city/leprosy-drive-yielding-results/

A total of 54 leprosy cases have been detected in Pune district during the ongoing state-wide campaign aimed at early detection, treatment and eliminating