- Health Ministry approved a new treatment regimen for leprosy.
- To stop transmission of leprosy at the sub-national level by 2027, the central government has approved a new treatment regimen for leprosy.
- The National Leprosy Eradication Programme is taking all the necessary measures to stop the transmission of leprosy.
- The government will introduce a three-drug regimen for Pauci-Bacillary (PB) cases in place of a two-drug regimen for six months.
- WHO’s recommended treatment regimen consists of three drugs — dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine. The duration of treatment is six months for PB and 12 months for MB cases.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) agreed to supply the revised drug regimen from April 1, 2025.
Leprosy
- It is a chronic infectious disease which is caused by the Mycobacterium leprae bacteria.
- It affects the skin and peripheral nerves.
- The bacteria are transmitted through droplets from the nose and mouth. It is curable with multi-drug therapy (MDT).
- It is reported in all the six WHO regions.