Maharashtra Declares Leprosy A Notifiable Disease, Aims For Leprosy-Free State By 2027
Maharashtra Declares Leprosy A Notifiable Disease, Aims For Leprosy-Free State By 2027
Mumbai, November 2, 2025: In a significant public health move, the Maharashtra government has officially declared leprosy a “notifiable disease”, aiming to curb its spread and ensure timely treatment for all affected individuals. The directive, issued through a state health department notification on October 30, requires all doctors and healthcare institutions to report any diagnosed leprosy case within two weeks to district or municipal health authorities.
This decision follows a Union health ministry advisory issued in May, which urged all states to make reporting of leprosy cases mandatory. The disease, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, primarily affects the skin, nerves, and eyes, and while it is fully curable through multi-drug therapy (MDT), social stigma and delayed diagnosis remain major challenges.
The Maharashtra government has set an ambitious goal of achieving “leprosy-free status” by 2027, defined as the absence of new indigenous child cases for five consecutive years and zero cases for the following three years. The notification aims to break the chain of infection, reduce transmission to zero, prevent deformities among children, and combat discrimination faced by those affected.
The directive applies across government, private, NGO, and corporate healthcare sectors, including medical colleges. All medical professionals, microbiologists, pathologists, and field staff are required to ensure proper treatment, follow-up, and post-exposure prophylaxis for close contacts of patients.
As of September 2023, Maharashtra recorded 7,863 new leprosy cases, with 13,010 patients currently under treatment. The health department has appealed to citizens not to fear the disease, urging anyone with symptoms to seek immediate medical help for early detection and cure.
Key Leprosy Indicators (Maharashtra):
| Indicator | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 (up to Sept 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New cases detected | 2,000 | 1,992 | 7,863 |
| Annual new case detection rate | 15.54 | 15.49 | 14.15 |
| Total active cases | 14,976 | 14,551 | 13,003 |
| Child cases | 132 | 110 | 65 |
| GD2 (Grade 2 deformity) cases | 138 | 129 | 71 |
| MB (Multibacillary) cases | 1,027 | 1,044 | 3,464 |
The state health department reaffirmed that early diagnosis and complete treatment are the cornerstones of leprosy control and urged every medical institution to strictly follow the new reporting norms.
