Leprosy
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease. It largely affects the skin, eyes, the peripheral nerves and the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract other than some other structures of the human body. The Government of India started the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (External website that opens in a new window) in 1955. But, it was only in 1970s that a definite cause was identified in the form of Multi Drug Therapy (MDT).
On the basis of the recommendations of a committee, the National Leprosy Eradication Programme was re-launched in 1983 with the objective to arrest the disease activity in all the known cases of leprosy. The entire country came under its ambit only by 1996. The government has also launched five Modified Leprosy Eradication Programmes or MLEPs beginning 1997-1998. These MLEPs helped in bringing out 9.9 lakh new leprosy cases for treatment and cure in a short period of time and created increased awareness about the disease among the masses.
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Source: National Portal Content Management Team, Reviewed on:25-01-2010 
