Overview
Leprosy, also known as Hanssen’s disease, is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, an acid-fast, rod-shaped bacillus. Following continuous efforts from the Government of Nepal, leprosy was eliminated as a public health problem at the national level in 2009. It was officially declared on January 19, 2010 (2066 Magh 5), with a national registered prevalence rate of 0.77 cases per 10,000 populations, which was below the cut-off point of below 1 per 10,000 population definition set by the World Health Organization. (DoHS Annual Report)
Facts
S. No. | Cases | 2076/77 | 2077/78 | 2078/79 | 2079/80 |
1 | New cases detected | 1853 | 2173 | 2285 | 2522 |
2 | Under treatment cases | 2044 | 2197 | 2373 | 2510 |
3 | Total new child cases | 141 | 101 | 73 | 181 |
4 | G2D among new cases | 101 | 95 | 170 | 189 |
5 | G2D among new child cases | 6 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
6 | Female among new cases | 770 | 796 | 989 | 1049 |
7 | MB among new cases | 1285 | 1607 | 1661 | 1934 |
Major indicators
S. No | Indicators | Status (2079/80) |
1 | New case detection rate (NCDR) | 8.5/1,00,000 population |
2 | Prevalence Rate | 0.85/10,000 population |
3 | Proportion of child cases among new cases | 7.18 |
4 | Proportion of Grade 2 disability among new G2G disability rate | 7.49/6.37 per million population |
5 | Proportion of G3D child among new cases | 0.32 |
6 | Proportion of female cases among new cases | 41.59 |
7 | MB Proportion among new | 76.69 |
Districts with Prevalence rate>1
- Kapilbasti
- Kailali
- Nawalparasi West
- Rautahat
- Parsa
- Jhapa
- Dhanusha
- Morang
- Bara
- Siraha
- Banke
- Rupandehi
- Sarlahi
- Mahottari
Milestones of National Leprosy Elimination Program of Nepal
- 1960: Leprosy survey by Government of Nepal in collaboration with WHO
- 1966: Pilot project to control leprosy launched with Dapsone monotherapy
- 1982: Introduction of multi-drug therapy (MDT) in leprosy control programme
- 1987 Integration of vertical leprosy control programme into general basic health services
- 1991: National leprosy elimination goal set
- 1995: Focal persons (TB and leprosy assistants [TLAs]) appointed for districts and regions
- 1996: All 75 districts were brought into MDT programme
- 1999/2000–2001/02: Two rounds of National Leprosy Elimination Campaign (NLEC) implemented
- 2008: Intensive efforts made for achieving elimination at the national level
- 2009 and 2010: Leprosy elimination achieved and declared at the national level
- 2011: Developed and endorsed National Leprosy Strategy (2011–2015)
- 2012-2013 : Elimination sustained at national level and national guidelines, 2013 (2070) revised
- 2013-2014: Mid-term evaluation of implementation of National Leprosy Strategy (2011-2015)
- 2014-2015 : Ministry of Health designated LCD as the Disability Focal Unit
- 2015-2018 : Piloting of LPEP in Jhapa, Morang and Parsa
- 2017 : Policy, Strategy and 10 Years Action Plan on Disability Management (Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation) 2073-2082 developed and disseminated
- 2018 : National Leprosy Strategy 2016-2020 (2073-2077) developed and endorsed. Revised leprosy guideline in line with national leprosy strategy and global leprosy strategy
- 2019 : In-depth Review of National Leprosy Programme and Envisioning Roadmap to Zero Leprosy
- 2020 : Development of Leprosy Post Exposure Prophylaxis Guideline
- 2021: Endorsement National Roadmap for Zero Leprosy-Nepal (2021-2030), Endorsement of National Leprosy Strategy and Action Plan of Nepal (2021-2025) and Development of Leprosy Training Package for Medical Officers and Basic Level Health Care Workers
Related readings
- National Leprosy Strategy(2021-2025)
- Leprosy Control Programme in Nepal
- World Leprosy Day 2022: #United4Dignity!
- World Leprosy Day 2020 #WorldLeprosyDay
- World Leprosy Day 2021 #BeatLeprosy
- Evolution and milestones of leprosy control programme in Nepal
- World Leprosy Day 2019: Ending Discrimination, Stigma and Prejudice
- World Leprosy Day (63rd) : ‘To live is to help to live’
- Leprosy Control Programme in Nepal
- 79 new leprosy patients found in Siraha
- World Leprosy Day – Accelerating towards a leprosy-free world
- Zero Disabilities in Girls and Boys #WorldLeprosyDay2018
- WHO lauds Global Partnership to Stop Leprosy; will help renew efforts for zero leprosy
- World Leprosy Day (63rd) : ‘To live is to help to live’
- World Leprosy Day
- Nepal Health Fact Sheets 2024
- Progress of Health & Population Sector 2023-2034 NJAR Report 2023-24
- TDR’s Implementation Science Leadership Fellowship Programme for Public Health Impact (University of Ghana)
- TDR’s Implementation Science Leadership Fellowship Programme for Public Health Impact (Universitas Gadjah Mada)
- National Guidance for Coordination Among Humanitarian Health Partners