Patna: The Bihar government has taken an important step towards getting international recognition for its success in eliminating kala-azar, a deadly disease that once affected thousands of people in the state. The Health Department is preparing a detailed dossier that will be submitted to the World Health Organization (WHO). This document will explain how Bihar managed to control and almost completely eliminate the disease through continuous efforts, strong monitoring and community-level action.
Bihar had already achieved the national target for kala-azar elimination in 2022. However, for global certification, the WHO follows a strict standard, which requires that there should be less than one kala-azar patient per 10,000 population over a sustained period. To meet this requirement, the state is now compiling clear and evidence-based records of its work from 2018 to 2025. Officials say this step is necessary to prove that the success is long-term and not temporary.
The dossier will include detailed information on insecticide spraying in affected areas, door-to-door surveys to identify suspected patients, and prompt testing and treatment after confirmation. Special attention has been given to identifying and treating patients with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), as untreated PKDL cases can lead to the return of the disease. The report will also highlight the role of health workers, training programmes, awareness campaigns and surveillance systems that helped keep the disease under control.
Once the dossier is completed, it will be sent to the WHO for review and validation by experts. If approved, Bihar is expected to receive global recognition as a successful example of kala-azar elimination. Health officials believe this recognition will strengthen the state’s public health image and encourage continued efforts to ensure that kala-azar does not return in the future.
