Jordan Becomes First Country to Receive WHO Verification for Eliminating Leprosy

Context:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized Jordan as the first country globally to eliminate leprosy, marking a significant milestone in public health.

What is Leprosy?

• About:
• Leprosy, also known asHansen’s disease,is achronic infectious diseasecaused by a type of bacteria called “Mycobacterium leprae”.
• The disease affects theskin, the peripheral nerves, mucosal surfacesof the upper respiratory tract and the eyes.
• Leprosy is known to occur atall ages ranging from early childhood to old age.
• Leprosy is not inherited, but it istransmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth,during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.
• It is not highly contagious. More than 85% infected population are non-infectious, and more than 99% population has natural immunity to leprosy.
• Incubation period: Usually takes about 3-5 years for symptoms to appear.
• Symptoms: Nerve damage in arms, legs, and skin; loss of sensation in the body; weakness of muscles; and poor eyesight.
• Treatment: It can be cured by Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT). Currently, the treatment regime consists of Dapsone, Rifampicin, and Clofazimine.
• Leprosy is a leading cause of permanent physical disability and has been classified as one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD).

World Anti-Leprosy Dayis observed internationally onthelast Sunday of Januarytocommemorate thedeath of Gandhiji.

• India and Leprosy:
• India has achieved theelimination of leprosy as a public health problemas per WHO criteria of less than1 case per 10,000 population at the National level in 2005.
• Leprosy isendemic in several states and union territories of India.
• The prevalence rate of leprosy is 0.4 per 10,000 population in the country.

GoI Initiatives for Eradication of Leprosy

National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)

• It is acentrally sponsored schemeunder theNational Health Mission.
• Nodal Ministry:Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Vision:Leprosy-free India.
• Implementation:While the strategies and plans are formulated centrally,they areimplemented by the States/UTs.

Nikusth 2.0 Portal

• Itis anintegrated portalforleprosy case managementundertheNational Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP).
• It will aid inefficient data recording,analyzingandreportingof the data in the form of indicators and areal-timedashboard at centre,state,and district levels.

National Strategic Plan & Roadmap for Leprosy (2023-27)

• The strategy and roadmap will aid in advancing the campaign against leprosy, to stop transmission, by speeding case detection efforts and maintaining a robust surveillance infrastructure.
• India has set the target ofLeprosy Mukt Bharat by 2027, 3 years ahead of the SDG.

SLACs (Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaigns)

• Launched in 2017 to raise awareness regarding leprosy.
• Focuses on addressing issues related to stigma and discrimination associated with leprosy.

Global Initiatives for Eradication of Leprosy

• WHO’s Global Leprosy Strategy2021–2030aimsto reinvigorate leprosy control effortsandavert disabilities,especiallyamong children.
• UN General Assembly Resolution on theElimination of Discrimination against Persons affected by Leprosy,2010: Itcalls on governments to modify or abolish existing laws that discriminate against persons affected by Leprosyandtheir family members.
• UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,2007 aims to promote full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities.

SDG Target 3.3:

• End epidemics of AIDS,tuberculosis,malaria, combathepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicablediseases by 2030.
• Focus extends toNeglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs),encompassing issueslike leprosy.

NPS Vatsalya scheme

Context:

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamanofficially launched theNPS Vatsalya schemein line with the announcement made in the Union Budget 2024.

NPS Vatsalya scheme:

• The NPS Vatsalya isan extension of the existing National Pension Scheme but focuses on children..
• Managed by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority(PFRDA),the scheme will befocused on children and the investment made in this account will be to ensure long-term wealth.
• Under the scheme,parents can start saving for their child’s retirement fund.
• It functions similarly to the current NPS, which assists people in building a retirement fund by contributing consistently throughout the course of their careers
• In contrast to conventional fixed-income alternatives, NPS contributionsare invested in market-linked securities like equities and bonds, which could yield higher returns.

National Pension System (NPS):

• It is aretirement benefit scheme introduced by the Government of India to facilitate regular income post-retirement for all subscribers
• It was launched on1st January, 2004. Initially, NPS was introduced for the new government recruits (except the armed forces)
• With effect from 1st May, 2009, NPS has been provided for all citizens of the country, including the unorganized sector workers on a voluntary basis.

• Eligibility for NPS Vatsalya as follows
• Allminor citizens(age below 18 years).
• Both the child and the parent must beIndian citizens. All parties must comply with theKnow Your Customer (KYC)requirements.
• Accountcanbe openedin thename of a minorand operated by parent or guardian. Minor will be the beneficiary.
• Scheme can be opened through variousPoints of presenceregulated by Pension Fund Regulatory Authority of India (PFRDA)such asmajor banks, India Post, Pension Fundsand Online platform (e-NPS).
• Contribution:Subscriber to make aminimum contribution of Rs 1000/- per annum. There isno limiton themaximum contribution.

Withdrawal rules

• After three yearsof opening the NPS vastsalya account, partial withdrawals are allowed. Up to 25% of the corpus can be withdrawn for specific purposes, including education, medical treatment for certain illnesses, or disabilities over 75%.
• Once the child attains the age of 18, the corpus ofup to Rs 2.5 lakh can be withdrawnentirely and if it exceeds, the 20% can be withdrawn and the rest 80% can be used for annuity purchase in the NPS.
• In the unfortunate event of asubscriber's death, theentire corpus is given to the nominee, usually the guardian. If the guardian dies, a new guardian must be assigned after completing a new KYC.
• If both parents die, a legal guardian can manage the account without further contributions until the child turns 18.

Rubber Board

Why in news?

The Rubber Board will unveil a portal in a week to register exporters of natural rubber and products made of natural rubber.

About Rubber Board–

• The Rubber Board is a statutory body constituted by the Government of India, under theRubber Act 1947,for the overall development of the rubber industry in the country.
• The Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, established the Rubber Board in 1947 to strengthen the development of the rubber industry by offering financial assistance, consolatory and regulatory services.
• Head Office is inKottayam, Kerala.
• The Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) established in 1955 is located on a hillock in the eastern suburb of Puthuppally, Kottayam.
• There are nine research disciplines, seven Regional Research Stations, two Hevean Breeding Sub-stations and a Central Experimental Station attached to the RRII.
• The Institute is headed by the Director (Research).
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): 100% FDI in plantations of rubber, coffee, tea, cardamom, palm oil tree and olive oil tree.

Rubber–

• India is currently the sixth largest producer of NR in the world with one of the highest productivity(694,000 tonnes in 2017-18).
• Traditional rubber-growing states comprising Kerala and Tamil Nadu account for 81% of production.
• Major non-traditional rubber growing regions are the North Eastern states of Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal.
• Due to the major spike in the rubber consumption and deficit in the NR production in India, around 40% of NR is imported from other major rubber producing countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and China.

Conditions required for the growth of Rubber tree

• Rubber is made from the latex of a tree called HeveaBrasiliensis, The British established the first rubber plantation in India in 1902 on the banks of the river Periyar in Kerala.
• Rubber is a tropical tree.
• It requires high temperature throughout the year – ranging between 20°-35°C or average monthly mean of 27°C. Less than 20°C temperature is detrimental.
• Similarly, rubber also requires heavy rainfall.The rainfall should be well-distributed throughout the year.
• Rubber trees can grow in a wide range of soils, including clay, sand and loam. They can tolerate both acidic and alkaline soils, but need good drainage.

National Rubber policy

• The National Rubber Policy includes several provisions to support the Natural Rubber (NR) production sector and the entire rubber industry value chain.
• The Policy covers

new planting and replanting of rubber,

support for growers,

processing and marketing of natural rubber,

labour shortage,

grower forums,

external trade,

Centre-State integrated strategies,

research, training,

rubber product manufacturing and export,

climate change concerns and carbon market

• National Rubber Policy is based on the short term and long term strategies identified by the Task Force constituted on the rubber sector for mitigating problems faced by rubber growers in the country.
• The Task Force held extensive consultations with various stakeholders of rubber sector.
• The policy is expected to benefit natural rubber growers and promote the natural rubber production sector.
• Developmental and research activities for supporting Natural Rubber sector for the welfare of growers are carried out through Rubber Board by implementing the scheme Sustainable and Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector in the Medium Term Framework (MTF).
• The developmental activities include financial and technical assistance for planting, supply of quality planting materials, support for grower forums, training and skill development programme.