Improving NLEP performance in a low endemic area.

New innovative strategies of the medical officer of an upgraded urban leprosy centre of a low endemic state (Punjab) resulted in an increase in new case detection by seventy-four percent. Indigenous patients were much more regular than immigrant patients in colonies. The number of new indigenous punjabi patients has not shown any decline in last one decade, probably because of deficiencies in the functioning of NLEP. It is suggested that improved case detection by adopting strategies used by the authors and restricting free migration of untreated and partially treated patients would help in achieving the goals of NLEP.