Pune: The Maharashtra govt has officially declared leprosy a "notifiable disease" to curb its spread and ensure timely treatment of patients.

This directive, announced via a state health department notification on Oct 30, mandates all doctors and healthcare institutions to report every diagnosed case of leprosy within two weeks to their respective district health offices or local municipal health authorities.

This notification follows a Union health ministry letter issued in May, urging all states to ensure mandatory reporting of diagnosed leprosy cases.

Leprosy, an infectious disease caused by mycobacterium leprae, primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, and eyes. Despite medical advancements, societal fear, stigma, and misconceptions about the disease persist. Delayed diagnosis

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