Rather than showing a declining trend, the incidence of leprosy in the country are increasing. The national sample survey of leprosy 2010-2011 has revealed that annually about 14 new leprosy cases are being detected per 1,00,000 population.
The annual new case detection rate (ANCDR) in 11 states including Maharashtra is more than 10/1,00,000 which indicates an alarming rise. In 2005, India had claimed to have achieved the near elimination target of less than one case per 10,000 but the fresh statistics have set the alarm bells ringing. A total of 172 new leprosy cases were detected in Maharashtra among the 6.5 lakh people who were examined under the national sample survey.
The was survey carried out by the Central Leprosy Division along with Indian Council of Medical Research, National Leprosy Eradication Programme.
The survey was conducted as per the recommendation made through a petition submitted to the Rajya Sabha in 2007 to integrate and empower persons affected by leprosy. The petition was submitted by former union minister Ram Naik. The report of the survey was submitted to the government last month.
The objective was to estimate new leprosy case load in the country, to assess the leprosy burden of disability cases in grade one and grade two and to assess the stigma and discrimination prevalent in the society.
The other states with high ANCDR are Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Chandigarh and union territory Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
A total of 1.5 crore people were screened including rural and urban areas using inverse sampling methodology and total 2,177 new cases were detected.
The percentage of deformities among the cases which was 2-3% in 2005 has now gone up. Total 302 cases with deformities were found in the survey which is about 14% of the total new cases.
The report also says considering the 2011 census it is estimated that about 2 to 3.5 lakh new cases will be detected in the country.
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