The event aims to end the discrimination faced by people affected by leprosy, and their families, worldwide. There were 214,783 new leprosy cases registered globally in 2016, according to official figures from 145 countries in the world. Children accounted for around 9% of new cases in 2016 and there is now a concerted effort to reduce the number of leprosy cases among them to zero by 2020. India accounts for the largest number of cases of leprosy in the world. The progress India makes in tackling leprosy will have a significant impact on the global situation.

Source: The Hindu February 03, 2018 18:22 UTC