The private GP and leprosy: a study

In urban and rural areas alike, people in India tend to prefer private medical care to the existing government health services. Nevertheless, the large private health care sector has hitherto been virtually alienated from activities of public health importance including priority disease control programmes. This study of 106 private general practitioners (GPs), practising in low socioeconomic areas of Bombay, shows a gross lack of knowledge and awareness among private doctors about leprosy and also about the National Leprosy Control Programme. The possible reasons are discussed. Effective involvement of GPs in the National Leprosy Control Programme should facilitate both integration and better implementation of leprosy control activities. The study also highlights some areas for future interventions at both primary and secondary health care levels and the need for a strategy, based on larger studies, to train and make private doctors participate in controlling diseases of major public health concern like leprosy.