Maharashtra Leprosy Cases Surge: Near 2025 Target Met

As of December 12, 2025, Maharashtra has documented 19,442 leprosy cases this year, a figure closely approaching the 19,927 cases reported in the previous full year. The state health department's annual screening drive, which tracks cases from April 1 to March 31, identified 13,324 cases through routine surveys and an additional 6,118 during a special statewide campaign from November 17 to December 12.

In a significant public health move, Maharashtra officially declared leprosy a notifiable disease in October. This mandate requires doctors and healthcare facilities to report all diagnosed instances to district and municipal health authorities within two weeks. This step is crucial for the state's objective to achieve leprosy elimination by 2027, aiming to curb transmission and prevent deformities.

Health officials clarify that the increased detection reflects enhanced surveillance efforts rather than a sudden outbreak. "More teams and manpower were deployed to screen vulnerable populations extensively," stated Dr. Rajratna Waghmare, joint director of Health Services. He stressed that sustained screening, early diagnosis, and uninterrupted treatment are vital for meeting the 2027 elimination target.