Saturday, 27th January 2024
Health Ministry’s new Treatment Regimen for Leprosy
In News: The Central government has sanctioned a novel treatment regimen for leprosy with the goal of halting its transmission at the sub-national level by 2027, surpassing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by three years.
Understanding Leprosy: Causes and Effects
Hansen’s Disease Overview
- Causative Agent and Affected Areas
- Infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
- Affects nerves, skin, eyes, and nasal mucosa.
- Symptoms and Consequences
- Manifests as skin ulcers, nerve damage, and muscle weakness.
- Untreated cases may lead to severe disfigurement and disability.
- Importance of Early Treatment
- Early intervention prevents additional tissue damage.
- Halts the spread of the disease.
Transmission of Leprosy: Myths and Facts
- Droplet Transmission
- Spread through droplets from the nose and mouth.
- Prolonged, close contact needed for transmission.
- Misconceptions
- Not transmitted through casual contact like handshakes or hugging.
- Disease transmission ceases with the initiation of treatment.
Global Landscape of Leprosy
- Historical Context
- One of the oldest diseases, dating back to 600 B.C.
- A Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) prevalent in 120+ countries.
- Global Statistics (2022)
- 182 countries reported 1,65,459 existing cases and 1,74,087 new cases.
- NTDs encompass various health issues with significant social and economic consequences.
Leprosy in India: Challenges and Efforts
- Post-Declaration Challenges
- Despite India being declared "Leprosy Eliminated" in 2005, it still accounts for 52% of global new cases.
- High-Risk Districts
- Certain states and union territories have districts yet to achieve leprosy elimination targets (82 districts).
- National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)
- Centrally sponsored scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM).
- Aims to reduce Prevalence Rate to less than 1/10,000 population at the district level.
- Key Objectives of NLEP
- Zero Grade II Disability rate per million population at the district level.
- Eliminate Grade II Disability among new cases.
- Achieve zero child leprosy cases.
- Awareness Initiatives
- Leprosy Case Detections Campaign (LCDC) in high endemic districts.
- Focused Leprosy Campaign (FLC) in low endemic districts.
- Special plans for Hard-to-Reach areas.
- ASHA Based Surveillance for Leprosy Suspects (ABSULS).
- Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign on January 30th annually.
- Active Case Detection and Surveillance in both rural and urban areas.
Source: TH
Expansion of the jurisdiction of BSF
In News: The Supreme Court is scheduled to adjudicate the dispute concerning the extension of the Border Security Force (BSF) jurisdiction in Punjab.
Border Security Force (BSF): Safeguarding India's Borders
About BSF
- Formation and Purpose
- Established in December 1965 as one of India's Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
- Originated after the 1965 War to ensure border security.
- Distinct Capabilities
- The only CAPF with its Water Wing, Air Wing, and ancillary units.
- Headquarters located in New Delhi, operating under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Operational Responsibilities
- Manages 6,386.36 km of International Border with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- Ensures security during peace and war times.
BSF Operations
- Peace Time Role
- Prevents trans-border crimes and unauthorized entries.
- Combats smuggling and illegal activities.
- War Time Role
- Safeguards vital installations, particularly airfields.
- Engages in limited aggressive actions against enemy forces under the overall Armed Forces plan.
- Assists in controlling refugees.
- Overseas Deployment
- Contributes personnel for UN Missions.
- Plays a crucial role in securing the Kartarpur Corridor.
- Additional Roles
- Deployed on the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K under the Army's operational control.
- Assists in natural disaster/calamity situations, as witnessed in events like the Kashmir flood (2014) and Kerala flood (2018).
Powers and Jurisdiction
- Arrest, Search, and Seize Authority
- Empowered under various laws, including the Criminal Procedure Code, Passports Act 1967, Passport (Entry into India) Act 1920, and the NDPS Act.
- BSF's authority extends within a specified jurisdiction.
Expansion of Jurisdiction: Background and Rationale
- Legal Basis for Expansion
- Section 139 of the Border Security Force Act, 1968, grants the Centre authority to determine the area and extent of BSF's operational mandate.
- Notification and Parliamentary Oversight
- Orders issued under Section 139 must be presented before both houses of Parliament.
- The October 2021 notification expanded the jurisdiction to 50 kilometers from the border.
- Operational Efficiency and Countermeasures
- Aimed at enhancing efficiency and curbing smuggling.
- Addresses challenges such as drug, arms, cattle, and fake currency smuggling.
- Addressing Security Challenges
- Responds to security threats posed by drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
- Ensures uniform BSF jurisdiction across states, aligning with the 50-kilometer limit in Rajasthan.
- Uniform Jurisdiction Across States
- The notification brings uniformity to BSF's jurisdiction, addressing variations in different states.
- Notably, it reduced the jurisdiction in Gujarat from 80 km to 50 km.
Source: IE
Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace
In News: The 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP), a voluntary mass movement of Buddhists in Asia, was recently convened in New Delhi.