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Nepal Leprosy Factsheet 2024

by Public Health Update

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)

World Leprosy Day

Facts

S. No.Cases2076/772077/782078/792079/80
1New cases detected1853217322852522
2Under treatment cases2044219723732510
3Total new child cases14110173181
4G2D among new cases10195170189
5G2D among new child cases6148
6Female among new cases7707969891049
7MB among new cases1285160716611934
Trend of leprosy cases in Nepal (Source: EDCD Fact sheet)

Major indicators

S. NoIndicatorsStatus (2079/80)
1New case detection rate (NCDR)8.5/1,00,000 population
2Prevalence Rate0.85/10,000 population
3Proportion of child cases among new cases7.18
4Proportion of Grade 2 disability among new G2G disability rate7.49/6.37 per million population
5Proportion of G3D child among new cases0.32
6Proportion of female cases among new cases41.59
7MB Proportion among new76.69
Major indicators (Source: EDCD Fact sheet)
Screen Shot 2024 01 24 at 20.15.19
District-wise mapping of autochthonous child cases for consecutive five years upto FY 2079/80 (Source: EDCD Fact sheet)

Districts with Prevalence rate>1

  1. Kapilbasti
  2. Kailali
  3. Nawalparasi West
  4. Rautahat
  5. Parsa
  6. Jhapa
  7. Dhanusha
  8. Morang
  9. Bara
  10. Siraha
  11. Banke
  12. Rupandehi
  13. Sarlahi
  14. Mahottari

National Leprosy Strategy(2021-2025)

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

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