National Leprosy Eradication Programme

National Leprosy Eradication Programme:

The main objective of the programme is early detection of leprosy cases and their treatment (domiciliary) with multi-drug therapy to control-the spread of leprosy. There are two kinds of units functioning in the country -

National Leprosy Control Units and

Survey, Education and Treatment (SET) Centres.

Leprosy control units are established in highly endemic areas in other areas, SET Centres are established. The SET Centres are attached to the primary health centres. A Leprosy Control Unit covers a population of 4 lakhs and is headed by a medical officer under whom 20 para-medical workers (PMWs) work, at the rate of one PMW for 20.000 population, two non-medical supervisors for 10 PMWs.

The SET centre covers a population of 25,000 and is looked after by a PMW who works under the guidance of the medical officer of the primary health centre. Mobile Leprosy Treatment Units provide services to leprosy patients in the non-endemic districts. Each MLTU consists of one medical officer, one non-medical officer, one non-medical supervisor, two para medical workers and a driver.

At present the existing infrastructure is as follows. Leprosy Control Unit or Modified Leprosy Control Units (LCU/ MLCU) 778. Urban Leprosy Centre (ULC) 907. SET Centres 5744, Temporary Hospitalization Ward (THW) 290, Reconstructive Surgery Unit (RSU) 75, Sample Survey cum Assessment Unit (SSAU) 40.

Mobile Leprosy Treatment Unit (MLTU) 350. During 1997 the government of India decided to implement Modified Leprosy Elimination Campaign (MLEC) in all the states/UTs. Till the end of May 1998. 22 States/UTs have implemented MLEC.

The strategy comprise short orientation training in leprosy to health staff including medical officers, health workers and volunteers; creating public awareness about leprosy; and house to house search for a period of six days for suspected cases of leprosy.