The Bihar government has initiated a major step towards securing formal international recognition for the elimination of Kala-azar by preparing a comprehensive dossier that will be validated by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The dossier will document the state’s sustained efforts, achievements and data related to the elimination of the disease.
Although Bihar achieved the Kala-azar elimination target in 2022, the state is now compiling detailed evidence in line with global standards, which define elimination as fewer than one case per 10,000 population. The Health Department is preparing the dossier to meet the requirements for international certification.
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Officials said the document will provide a systematic and evidence-based account of all activities undertaken between 2018 and 2025. It will include data on insecticide spraying in affected areas, door-to-door surveillance, testing and treatment of suspected and confirmed cases, and the identification and management of Post-Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) patients.
The dossier will also highlight the state’s surveillance mechanisms, training programmes for health workers, community awareness initiatives, and the overall role of the public health system in sustaining elimination and preventing re-emergence of the disease.
Once completed, the dossier will be submitted to the WHO for expert validation. After approval, Bihar is expected to be recognised globally as a successful model for Kala-azar elimination, strengthening the state’s standing in the field of public health.