The Supreme Court has asked the government to explain why lakhs continue to be afflicted by leprosy and suffer social stigma despite an effective cure being available since 1981.

A Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Vikramjit Sen wants the Centre and State governments to respond to a petition seeking availability and administration of medicines to leprosy patients, especially pregnant women, at primary health care centres in a dignified manner.

The petition filed by Prakash Sinha, through senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, wants provisions in both government and private educational institutions to admit children of leprosy patients, start banking facilities for them and establish colonies where homeless patients can receive care and cure.

The court, in its written order, put on record the submission by senior advocate Colin Gonsalves that patients suffer indignity and social stigma despite the availability of an effective cure in the form of Multi-Drug Therapy MDT) available since 1981.

Mr. Gonsalves submitted that MDT can cure “99 percent of leprosy bacteria”.

“It is averred in the petition that they are not allowed to have education, sanitary benefits, community-based rehabilitation as a result of which they are driven to streets and eventually turn to begging or compelled to live in so-called leprosy homes where they are treated as aliens,” Justice Misra observed in the Bench’s order passed recently.

The court directed the government to respond to the petition alleging that had it not been for official “apathy”, millions suffering from leprosy would have been cured and not faced social ostracism.

“Learned senior counsel would contend that because of non-concern, the leprosy affects more than 1.25 persons yearly throughout the country, which is completely avoidable,” the order said.

The Bench has asked the government to file its reply in four weeks.