Why is it in the news ?
- The Lok Sabha passed a Bill seeking to remove leprosy as ground for divorce stating that this was a “discriminatory” provision for a disease that is now curable.
More in the news
-
The bill seeks to remove leprosy as a ground for divorce in five personal laws:1. Hindu Marriage Act.2. Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act.3. Divorce Act (for Christians).4. Special Marriage Act.5. The Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act.
-
Each of these Acts prescribe leprosy as a ground for seeking divorce or separation from the spouse.
-
The Bill cleared on Monday removes this as a ground for divorce or separation.
-
The Human Rights Commission and judgements of various courts had also underlined the need to amend the laws to remove this discrimination.
Leprosy in India
-
Leprosy is a chronic infection caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae.
-
It affects the skin, the peripheral nerves and the upper part of the airway, or the testes.
-
It is transmitted by prolonged contact, usually through aerosols containing the nasal secretions, or droplets from these fluids.
-
India was officially declared to have eliminated leprosy in 2005 when new cases fell to less than 1 per 10,000.
-
However, India still accounts for the largest number of leprosy affected people in the world (Around 58%).
-
Lack of awareness, myths, socio-cultural beliefs, and the stigma attached to leprosy are perhaps the most pressing problems before public health activists today.
-
In India, the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) is the centrally sponsored health scheme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
-
While the NLEP strategies and plans are formulated centrally, the programme is implemented by states and union territories (UTs).
-
The programme is also supported by WHO, ILEP, and few other.
Source
The Hindu.