Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Elimination of Discrimination against persons affected by Leprosy and their family members during the 50th Session of Human Rights Council (13 June – 8 July 2022) delivered by Ms. Jagpreet Kaur, Under Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs,

(Geneva, 20 June 2022)

Mr. Vice President,

My delegation thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of her report.

2. We have a long way to go, for the full realisation of the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health for persons affected by leprosy.

3. Mahatma Gandhi had a special concern for leprosy patients, even at a time when there was no specific cure for leprosy. He understood that there are two distinct aspects to the disease – the medical dimension and the social dimension. He worked to end the social stigma associated with it and to bring about the reintegration of leprosy patients in the mainstream of Indian society.

4. The National Leprosy Eradication Programme has achieved enormous success in leprosy control in the last four decades in India. Multi-Drug Therapy is available free of cost at all the Government health care facilities in the country. More than a dozen innovations have been introduced from 2016, onwards in a phased manner, to address the issues being faced by the programme.

5. Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign is implemented to reduce stigma against persons affected by leprosy in the community. Various services are provided under the programme for Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation, such as, reaction management, provision of Microcellular Rubber footwear, Aids and Appliances, self-care kits, etc..

6. India is committed to intensifying efforts for early detection of cases and providing equitable access to appropriate treatment as well as integrated leprosy services.

I thank you, Mr. Vice-President.