SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has declared leprosy a “Notifiable Disease” across the Union Territory, making it mandatory for all government and private healthcare facilities to immediately report every diagnosed case to the concerned health authorities. The decision has been taken to strengthen surveillance, ensure timely reporting and support the national goal of achieving a “Leprosy-Free India.”
The notification, issued by the Health and Medical Education Department, states that leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, primarily affecting the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and eyes. Although the disease is curable, delayed diagnosis and untreated cases can result in permanent disabilities and continued transmission within the community.
The government noted that under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), India has witnessed a significant decline in the prevalence of leprosy—from 57 cases per 10,000 population in 1983 to 0.57 cases per 10,000 population during 2024-25—reflecting sustained public health interventions across the country.
According to the notification, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, had, through a communication dated May 14, 2025, urged Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen surveillance and reporting mechanisms in line with the National Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and the Global Leprosy Strategy 2021-2030. The Centre had requested that leprosy be declared a notifiable disease in the Union Territory.
The notification further states that the Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), J&K, also recommended formally declaring leprosy a notifiable disease across all sectors, including government and private hospitals, non-governmental organisations, corporate healthcare providers and medical institutions, including private medical colleges, to ensure mandatory reporting of all diagnosed cases.
Invoking powers under Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, the Lieutenant Governor has formally declared leprosy a notifiable disease in Jammu and Kashmir. The notification also refers to Section 48 of the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, which requires all registered healthcare establishments to report notifiable diseases as directed by the government.
Under the new directions, all government and private healthcare facilities—including medical colleges, NGOs and corporate healthcare providers—must immediately report every diagnosed case of leprosy to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the concerned district, with copies to the District Leprosy Officer and the State Leprosy Officer under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme, following the prescribed reporting format.
Meanwhile, The Jammu and Kashmir Government has made Aadhaar authentication mandatory for beneficiaries seeking treatment and regulated psychotropic medicines under the Drug De-addiction Registry Portal (DDRP), administered by the State Drug Controller Office under the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD). The new notification has been issued by the Health and Medical Education Department under Section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, to establish the identity of beneficiaries receiving services under the scheme.
According to the notification, individuals availing benefits under the DDRP—including de-addiction treatment, counselling, medicines, rehabilitation services and regulated dispensation of psychotropic drugs—will be required to undergo Aadhaar authentication or furnish proof of possession of an Aadhaar number. The scheme is funded through the Consolidated Fund of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The notification, however, provides safeguards for those who do not yet possess an Aadhaar number. Such beneficiaries will be required to apply for Aadhaar enrolment. In the case of children, enrolment will require the consent of a parent or legal guardian. The State Drug Controller Office has been directed to facilitate Aadhaar enrolment and updation by coordinating with registrars, establishing enrolment centres or acting as a registrar itself.
For beneficiaries aged 18 years or above who do not possess Aadhaar, acceptable documents include the Aadhaar enrolment acknowledgement together with an EPIC, ration card, domicile or caste certificate, medical or insurance identity card, passport, school certificates, government employee identity card, disability certificate or UDID card, driving licence, guardianship documents and other prescribed documents.
The notification also directs designated officers of the Health and Medical Education Department to verify Aadhaar enrolment requests through the UIDAI’s myAadhaar portal and authenticate supporting documents with the assistance of relevant government agencies wherever required. The department has also been asked to undertake wide publicity through the media to create awareness about the Aadhaar requirement under the scheme.
