India achieved the “elimination of leprosy as a public health problem” as per World Health Organization (WHO) criteria of less than one case per 10,000 population at the national level in 2005. However, data shows the number of leprosy cases has again risen in the country.
In response to a question raised in Parliament, the data presented by the Union minister of health and family welfare,Mansukh Mandaviya, revealed that the number has increased by 15.7% in 2021-22 as compared to the previous year. From 65,147 in 2020-21, it increased to 75,394 in 2021-22. Till January 2023, there were 88,278 active cases of chronic infectious disease in the country.
As per the data, till January 2023, a maximum 17,014 cases were reported in Maharashtra, followed by Bihar (11,318), UP (10,312),Chhattisgarh(7,422), Madhya Pradesh (7,313), Jharkhand (6,184), Odisha (6,088) and West Bengal (5,012).