Context:
∙ The Central government has approved a new treatment regimen for leprosy, aiming to stop its transmission at the sub-national level by 2027.
Three-drug regimen
∙ The WHO has recommended this treatment regimen in 2015.
∙ It consists of three drugs — dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine. The combination is referred to as MDT (multidrug therapy). MDT kills the pathogen and cures the patient.
∙ This regimen is known as ‘Uniform MDT’, where a single three-pack kit can be given to all leprosy patients. This measure facilitates ease of administration.
∙ The duration of treatment is six months for PB and 12 months for MB cases.
Leprosy
∙ Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the slow-growing bacteria Mycobacterium leprae bacteria.
∙ It primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves, leading to potential disabilities if left untreated.
ο Leprosy is spread through close and frequent contact with untreated individuals, most commonly via respiratory droplets from the nose and mouth.
ο Early symptoms often involve pale, painless patches on the skin that can lose sensation.
ο Leprosy can be diagnosed through skin smear tests, nerve function tests, and biopsies.
