📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Home Affairs
Health
NHRC Monitor Visits Meghalaya to Review Leprosy Control in Three Districts
✍️ Hub News
🗓 04 Nov 2026, 09:37 PM
👁 16
The National Human Rights Commission’s special monitor visited three districts in Meghalaya to evaluate the current status and challenges of leprosy control programmes.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has dispatched a special monitor to Meghalaya to scrutinise the state’s leprosy control efforts. The visit covered the districts of West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills and West Jaintia Hills, where leprosy remains a public health concern.
During the three‑day assessment, the monitor met with district health officials, community health workers and affected residents to gather data on case detection, treatment coverage and rehabilitation services. Preliminary findings point to gaps in early diagnosis, limited availability of multidrug therapy (MDT) centres and a lack of community awareness programmes.
The report highlights the need for increased funding, better training for health staff and stronger surveillance mechanisms. It also stresses the importance of reducing stigma, which often delays patients from seeking treatment.
The NHRC will compile a detailed recommendation report and present it to the state government by the end of the month, urging swift action to meet national leprosy elimination targets.
During the three‑day assessment, the monitor met with district health officials, community health workers and affected residents to gather data on case detection, treatment coverage and rehabilitation services. Preliminary findings point to gaps in early diagnosis, limited availability of multidrug therapy (MDT) centres and a lack of community awareness programmes.
The report highlights the need for increased funding, better training for health staff and stronger surveillance mechanisms. It also stresses the importance of reducing stigma, which often delays patients from seeking treatment.
The NHRC will compile a detailed recommendation report and present it to the state government by the end of the month, urging swift action to meet national leprosy elimination targets.