Leprosy has struck fear in
the human beings for thousands of years and the individual who have
suffered its chronic course of incurable disfigurement and physical
disabilities can never be calculated. It once affected every continent
and it has left behind a terrifying image in history and human memory.
Treatment became available only in 1940s with the introduction of
Dapsone monotherapy. Since leprosy bacilli resisted to Dapsone a new
treatment regimen with Multi- Drug Therapy was introduced as recommended
by the WHO during the year 1981. This is well tolerated and accepted
by the patients and it is highly effective. It rapidly cure patients
, interrupt further transmission and therefore make elimination of
the disease possible. The elimination of the disease means reducing
the prevalence to below one case per 10000 population and aimed at
detecting all hidden cases giving full course of treatment and thereby
preventing the chance for deformity and further spread of the disease.
Case detection is carried out through campaign approach by house to
house search and VRC(Voluntary Reporting Centre).
Now the Leprosy Elimination Programme is integrated with general health
care service and treatment facilities are available in all the health
institutions free of charge. The expenses for the reconstructive surgery
is reimbursed. MCR chappal is also provided free of cost to the needy
patients .For the speedy implementation of various activities under
the programme a District leprosy Society is functioning under the
chairman ship of Collector -cum- Development Commissioner. The results
of surveys conducted under Leprosy elimination program in Lakshadweep
are given below.
| Year |
Survey |
Cases |
Prevailing Rate(in '000) |
| 1960 |
Rapid Health Survey by Dr. Alexander |
584 |
31.2 |
| 1966-67 |
CLTRI |
634 |
24.4 |
| 1966-68 |
CLTRI |
634 |
24.4 |
| 1974 |
Dr.Noorudheen |
720 |
25.4 |
| 1986 |
Dr.K.C.Das |
426 |
5.63 |
| 1989-90 |
CLTRI |
223 |
5.12 |
| 1991 |
CLTRI |
129 |
3.09 |
| 1993-94 |
CLTRI |
40 |
0.94 |
| 1997 |
CLTRI |
69 |
1.5 |
| 1998 |
MLEC 1 |
42 |
0.75 |
| 1999 |
MLEC 2 |
54 |
0.9 |
| 2001 |
MLEC 3 |
15 |
0.27 |
|
