The Secretariat is happy to consider articles for publication on this website about anti-leprosy activities, including disability and development-related issues.
If you have some news, a story to share or an idea for an article, please contact ILEP by writing to: ilep@ilep.org.uk
Discover the real stories...
Indian Council of Medical Research to Assess Reasons for Detection of New Cases of Leprosy
Posted on 16 June 2009 by
Since the number of new cases of leprosy has not shown a notable decline in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has decided to conduct research into certain key areas that could shed light on steady numbers of people detected with leprosy.
Although the elimination threshold of less than one case per ten thousand population was declared on 30th January 2006, a constant number of new cases of leprosy are continuing to be detected in India.
To find out more about remaining pockets of endemicity four main areas of research have been identified by the Indian Council of Medical Research:
1. Studies related to the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)
Projects are to be developed on health systems research and operational research on integration issues. Evaluations will be made of current Information Education Communication (IEC) strategies and ways to increase community awareness. In addition, studies will be conducted into psychosocial issues and the formulation of new approaches to reduce stigma, as well as to encourage early detection and completion of multi-drug treatment (MDT).
2. Epidemiological Studies
There will be projects that will examine how to estimate trends, prevalence and incidence of leprosy in India with special emphasis on biological reasons and genetics, behavioural and social factors. Other studies will examine the dynamics of transmission of leprosy to identify sources and genotypes, its presence in soil and water and how these may establish a chain of transmission in endemic pockets. Another study is to address issues related to the changing profile of leprosy.
3. Basic Research
Attempts will be made to understand the host-parasite genomic interaction and pathogenesis of leprosy. Basic research will also be conducted into basic immunology. Translational research will be carried out into new technology for detecting Mycobacterium m. leprae in the environment.
4. Clinical Research
A study will focus on complications in leprosy and its management. It is also intended to develop projects on drug resistance and relapse as well as on reactions and the use of second line drugs for resistant and relapse cases.
Website of the Indian Council of Medical Research: http://icmr.nic.in/
Categories: India, Technical information