India Launches Nationwide Leprosy Screening to Achieve Zero Transmission by 2027

As of 2025-11-15T06:31:54+00:00, the Indian government has launched a nationwide leprosy screening campaign to identify and treat hidden cases across the country. The massive effort involves over 8.66 crore people being screened, covering 100% of the rural population and nearly 30% of the urban population.

To carry out this extensive survey, 65,832 teams have been formed, each consisting of an ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker and a male volunteer. Additionally, 13,166 supervisors will be monitoring the field teams as they visit 1.73 crore households, surveying 20 houses per day in rural areas and 25-30 houses in urban areas.

The primary objective of this campaign is to "break the chain of transmission" by finding undetected leprosy cases early on. As Dr. Sandeep Sangale, the joint director of health services and head of the leprosy program, explains, "By finding hidden cases early, we can not only cure the individual but also prevent the disease from spreading." The ultimate goal is to achieve the national target of zero leprosy transmission by 2027.

According to the latest data from the health department, in 2025-26 (until September), 7,863 new leprosy cases were reported in the state, with 13,003 patients currently under treatment. The campaign aims to dispel myths and address the social stigma surrounding the disease, which often leads to cases remaining undetected.