The main tropical diseases in India include Dengue, Trachoma, Leprosy, Lymphatic Filariasis, Soil-transmitted Helminthiases, Rabies and Kala-azar.  The prevalence of these tropical diseases depends on climatic conditions, socio-economic conditions, in appropriate health seeking behaviour, migration of population as well as emerging drug and insecticide resistance.

As per the First WHO Report on neglected tropical diseases 2010, these diseases have significant impact on the productivity of individuals, households, communities and nations. 

Health is a State subject.  However, Government of India supplements the efforts of State Governments. The following national programmes in relation to tropical diseases are being implemented:

(i)                 National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP): for control of Dengue and elimination of Kala-azar and Lymphatic Filariasis.

(ii)                National Leprosy Eradication Programme: India has achieved the elimination of leprosy at national level in December 2005.  Focus is now to achieve elimination of leprosy at district level.

(iii)              National Programme for Control of Blindness: services are provided for the control of Trachoma.

(iv)             School Health Programme: services are provided for the prevention of Soil-transmitted Helminthiases.

Besides, Indian Council of Medical Research promotes research in different tropical diseases through its extramural and intramural research through its disease specific institutes which involves molecular and genetic study on the pathogens and vector, development of new diagnostics and interventions. 

The Health Minister stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.

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MV/BK/LK