The Delhi government has initiated steps to declare Leprosy a notifiable disease under the Delhi Epidemic Diseases Act, aiming to strengthen surveillance, enable early detection, and improve treatment compliance across the national capital.
Proposal Clears Health Department, Awaits Final Approval
The Delhi Health Department has already approved the proposal. It now awaits final clearance before implementation. Once notified, the government will issue detailed reporting guidelines to healthcare institutions across the city.
Mandatory Reporting to Strengthen Surveillance
Following the notification, hospitals, clinics, and individual practitioners will be required to report all leprosy cases to the District Leprosy Officer. As a result, authorities will be able to carry out targeted interventions, ensure timely diagnosis, and provide free treatment through Multi-Drug Therapy at government facilities.
Delhi to Join Other States in Public Health Push
With this move, Delhi will join states such as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal, which have already classified leprosy as a notifiable disease.
Government Highlights Need for Early Detection
Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh emphasized the importance of the decision. He stated that mandatory notification would help identify hidden cases, curb transmission, and ensure patients receive standard treatment with dignity. He also reiterated that leprosy is completely curable.
Addressing Underreporting and Continued Transmission
Although India achieved elimination of leprosy as a public health problem in 2005—based on World Health Organization criteria of fewer than one case per 10,000 population—the country still accounts for nearly 59% of global new cases annually.
Moreover, officials cited a recent nationwide study showing that around 44.1% of leprosy patients seek treatment in private healthcare facilities. Consequently, many cases remain unreported under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme, allowing continued transmission within communities.
Expected Public Health Benefits
Authorities believe that mandatory notification will significantly improve disease control. Specifically, it will support early detection, reduce the risk of disability, enable effective contact tracing, and facilitate post-exposure prophylaxis. In addition, it will improve treatment adherence and help reduce stigma by reinforcing that leprosy is a treatable condition.
WHO Recommends Notifiable Disease Status
Importantly, the World Health Organization has recommended including leprosy in the list of notifiable diseases. This step, experts say, will strengthen monitoring systems and enhance control efforts nationwide.
Notification Expected Soon
As reported by Hindustan Times, the government is expected to issue the final notification under the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 once all approvals are in place.