Learn about the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), its full form, objectives, guidelines, key strategies and role in eliminating leprosy in India for UPSC and general awareness. NLEP is a centrally sponsored health scheme under India's National Health Mission aimed at eliminating leprosy. The programme evolved from the National Leprosy Control Programme launched by the Government of India in 1955.
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The National Leprosy Eradication Programme was launched in 1983. Since then, it is a sponsored health scheme in India under the National Health Mission. The programme aims to eliminate leprosy in the country by providing free diagnosis, Multi-Drug Therapy and disability services to achieve zero transmission and leprosy stigma by 2027. The target of the programme is to achieve zero leprosy transmission, zero disability among new cases and zero discrimination regarding people suffering from the disease.
What is NLEP Full form?
The NLEP stands for National Leprosy Eradication Programme is a centrally sponsored health scheme under India's National Health Mission aimed at eliminating leprosy. The programme evolved from the National Leprosy Control Programme launched by the Government of India in 1955. The programme initially focused on controlling leprosy through Dapsone based domiciliary treatment, surveillance and early case detection across the country. Now, the programme focuses on early case detection, free Multi-Drug Therapy, disability prevention and reducing stigma to achieve a prevalence rate of less than 1 case per 10,000 population. The prevention measures are Free Multi Drug Therapy to people suffering from leprosy. Patients are also provided general health services such as Primary Health Centres and District Hospitals.
Objectives of National Leprosy Eradication Programme
The National Leprosy Eradication Programme(NLEP) is a central government sponsored scheme under the National Health Mission which aims to make India leprosy free. The scheme focuses on preventing disease transmission, providing free treatment to patients and eliminating the social stigma associated with leprosy by spreading awareness. Let’s take a look at the objectives of the NLEP National Leprosy Eardication Programme.
1. Elimination at all Levels
The National Leprosy Eradication Programme aims to maintain a prevalence rate of less than 1 case per 10,000 population at national, state and district levels. Through the scheme, the central government targets elimination at all levels in India.
2. Reduction of Disability
The National Leprosy Eradication Programme targets reduction of Grade II disability by early detection. The scheme aims to reduce the number to less than 1 case per million population at the national level.
3. Child Health
The National Leprosy Eradication Programme focuses on children between the age 0-18 years to achieve zero disabilities among new child cases. To make this happen, the government has implemented strategies such as school screenings, leprosy surveillance and free Multi-Drug Therapy.
4. Social Justice
The National Leprosy Eradication Programme promotes social justice by reducing stigma, enforcing rights for affected individuals and providing a ₹12,000 welfare allowance for reconstructive surgery to patients. The scheme ensures zero stigma and discrimination against persons affected by the disease.
Guidelines of National Leprosy Eradication Programme(NLEP)
The National Leprosy Eradication Programme focuses on early case detection, prompt treatment using free Multi-Drug Therapy and disability prevention to reduce the leprosy prevalence rate to less than 1/10,000 at the national level. The Guidelines of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) play a crucial role in strengthening healthcare in India by promoting early detection, free treatment, community awareness, and effective disease management to eliminate leprosy. Let’s take a look at the guidelines of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme.
1. Case Detection and Treatment
The National Leprosy Eradication Programme issues strict guidelines for early case detection through in depth house surveys in high affected areas and providing free treatment with Multi Drug Therapy.
2. Revised Treatment Regimen
The scheme has revised treatment regimen for both Paucibacillary and Multibacillary patients. They receive a three drug regimen which are Rifampicin, Dapsone and Clofazimine. The duration for the fraud regimen is 6 months for Paucibacillary and 12 months for Multibacillary cases.
3. Post Exposure Prophylaxis
Under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme, single dose Rifampicin is administered to eligible contacts of leprosy patients to prevent disease transmission. However, the dose is administered after screening for symptoms.
4. Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation
The National Leprosy Eradication Programme provides disability prevention tools such as microcellular rubber footwear, self care kits and managing reactions with steroids such as the 12-week Prednisolone regimen.
5. Integration and Monitoring
Leprosy services are integrated into general health care services such as monitoring facilities at Primary Health Centres and Wellness Centres. Intensive monitoring is conducted to ensure the number of affected patients drastically reduces gradually.
6. IEC Activities
The National Leprosy Eradication Programme carries out Information, Education and Communication initiatives aimed to encourage self reporting in case of infection and removal of social stigma. These activities help create awareness among the public.
Conclusion
The National Leprosy Eradication Programme is a sponsored health scheme by the central government under India's National Health Mission. It aims at eliminating leprosy from India through various preventive and treatment measures. The primary objective is to reduce the disability rates in the country, promote social justice and curb stigma, promote children's health and remove leprosy at all levels. Some guidelines under the scheme are Post Exposure Prophylaxis, IEC activities and revised treatment regimen.