Mumbai, Oct. 7 -- Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic infectious disease caused by bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. Symptoms include discoloured skin patches, lack of ability to feel touch, pressure, pain, heat and cold, muscle weakness, non-healing ulcers, deformities particularly in hands, feet and face and inability to close eyes and poor vision. The introduction of Multidrug Therapy (MDT) in 1983 in India revolutionized treatment of leprosy. MDT treatment has been provided free of cost to patients through WHO. Since the introduction of MDT, the incidence and prevalence of the disease has remarkably decreased.

The Government of India recognized leprosy as a national health problem in 1954-55 and launched the National Leprosy Contro...