Maharashtra Government Launches Screening for Leprosy Detection of 8.66 Crore Individuals

The Maharashtra government will screen 8.66 crore individuals for leprosy from November 17 to December 2, aiming to identify undiagnosed cases and enhance public awareness.

The Maharashtra government plans to screen 8.66 crore individuals and 1.73 crore households for leprosy from November 17 to December 2. This initiative is part of an annual effort to identify leprosy cases through a comprehensive door-to-door survey across all districts, following central guidelines, as stated by the state health department.

To facilitate this extensive screening, 65,832 teams and 13,166 supervisors have been deployed. Each team consists of one ASHA worker and one male volunteer. In rural areas, they will visit 20 houses daily, while in urban areas, they will cover 25 to 30 houses each day for physical examinations over a period of 14 days.

Leprosy Detection and Treatment

Patients identified with leprosy during the survey will be examined by medical officers. Those diagnosed will immediately begin multi-drug therapy. The campaign's primary goal is to uncover hidden or undiagnosed cases, initiate treatment to halt transmission, raise public awareness about leprosy, and work towards zero leprosy transmission by 2027.

To ensure effective implementation, training workshops and coordination committee meetings are being held at various levels—state, district, and block. Additionally, team training sessions are conducted at primary health centres to prepare the workforce for the task ahead.

Leprosy as a Notifiable Disease

The Maharashtra government has recently declared leprosy a notifiable disease to prevent its spread and ensure timely treatment. All doctors and health institutions must report every confirmed case of leprosy to the respective District Health Office, Assistant Director of Health Services Leprosy, and local civic health authorities within two weeks of diagnosis.

This initiative aims to strengthen efforts towards achieving zero leprosy transmission by 2027. By increasing public awareness and ensuring prompt treatment for those diagnosed, the state hopes to break the chain of transmission effectively.

With inputs from PTI