National Leprosy Day:
On National Leprosy Day (last Sunday of January), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conducted an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) outreach programme to promote awareness, early detection, and stigma reduction related to leprosy.Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (bacteria), affecting skin and peripheral nerves, transmitted via droplets from untreated cases, and is curable with Multidrug Therapy (MDT) provided free by WHO.India attained national leprosy elimination status (prevalence rate <1/10,000) in 2005 and sustained it. As of 2025, PR is 0.57 nationally.Key Symptoms: Reddish skin patches with sensory loss, thickened nerves, and resulting numbness that can lead to ulcers, muscle weakness, and paralysis (e.g., claw hand, foot drop).Advanced cases may present with facial nodules, nasal bleeding, and deformities such as loss of eyebrows.
