Lucknow, Oct. 23 -- : Uttar Pradesh will develop a five-year action plan to improve the early detection of leprosy, prevent its spread, reduce disabilities and ensure a dignified life for people affected by the disease.

Addressing the inaugural session of a two-day state conference on accelerating leprosy eradication on Friday, minister of state for health Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh said the state would focus on ten identified areas to achieve the goal of a leprosy-free Uttar Pradesh.

He reiterated the government's commitment to eradicating leprosy but acknowledged that the stigma associated with the disease remained a challenge.

The plan will focus on identifying priority districts and blocks, training health workers, conducting regula...