Veterinary Epidemiology and Zoonosis

NATIONAL LEPROSY ERADICATION PROGRAMME AND VARUMUN KAPPOM THITTAM

National Leprosy Eradication Programme

• The National Leprosy Eradication Programme was launched in 1954-55 with the main thrust on early detection and sustained regular treatment of all Leprosy Patients with a single drug.
• With the introduction of multi drug therapy (MDT) in 1981 there has been a remarkable improvement in the recovery of Leprosy patients.
• Tamil Nadu has done a commendable work in Leprosy Eradication Programme. The prevalence rate which was 118 per 10,000 population in 1983 has now been brought down to 4.2 per 10,000 population.
• The programme has helped us to move towards total elimination of Leprosy.
• Tamil Nadu has shown significant progress over the years and with sustained efforts and co-operation from the public.
• It is expected to achieve the target set by Word Health Organisation of elimination of leprosy as a Public Health Problem and to reduce the case load to less than 1 per 10,000 population.
• The tremendous gain achieved through the Intensive Leprosy Eradication Campaign launched in 1997 has made the Government of India and Government of Tamil Nadu to decide to launch the modified Leprosy Elimination Campaign in January 2000, to detect remaining hidden cases and fresh cases and create awareness about Leprosy in the minds of the public.

 Varumun Kappom Thittam  

• On 22.11.1999 the Government have launched a new scheme viz." VARUMUN KAPPOM THITTAM" for screening and early detection of diseases in the Community by conducting free comprehensive health check up and treatment. 10,000 camps are proposed to be conducted in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu.