Disability prevention and medical rehabilitation (DPMR)--prevention of disability and timely referral in leprosy.

The stigma and discrimination due to disabilities in leprosy has a profound effect on a leprosy individual and the disability hampers his/her earning capacity and therefore socio-economic status. The Government of India has recently come out with an approved plan for disability prevention and medical rehabilitation. There are some objectives to provide appropriate services to the disabled or to prevent the disability. In order to prevent disability early treatment is necessary but there are a lot of studies on delayed presentation. It is in fact suggested that not only early correct treatment of leprosy with MDT but also early correct treatment of reactions and nuritis can prevent disability. Some cases as specified in the text require referral to prevent the menace. Many deformities can be corrected by reconstructive surgery. The management protocol to prevent primary impairment is depicted in Figs within the article.