"Outside project area" leprosy cases in 'A' ward of Mumbai

Analysis of newly registered smear-positive cases in a ward of the metropolitan city of Mumbai, which has a railway terminus during 1990-97 revealed that 72% of the patients came from outside the project area, most of them arising from the States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa. They had unstable and temporary residences in the area and were employed in low income hard labour jobs. Nevertheless, it was found that their treatment completion rate was high. Using different approaches, e.g. through the community leaders of footpath dwellers and railway platform dwellers, and those of different state language groups' colonies, the new entrants were examined periodically and simultaneously proper rapport was maintained with the medical practitioners of the ward for more referrals to leprosy clinic. Such special approach may have to be developed to tackle such situation in other metropolis in the country.