Agarwal, AMeena, SNRitu, KMBhargava, SJain, AKumar, P.2025-08-132025-08-132025-03Agarwal A, Meena SN, Ritu KM, Bhargava S, Jain A, Kumar P.. The Unique Leprosy Helpline in India. Indian Journal of Leprosy . 2025 Mar; 97(1): 53-550254-9395https://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/250267The NLR India has established a helpline named Vikalp with objectives of improving the adherence to MDT, promoting practice of self-care among new patients with disabilities, and promoting SDR-PEP among the household contacts of the patients. This helpline is operating since May 2021 from Jaipur (Rajasthan) is providing a follow-up mechanism for leprosy patients on treatment complementing the government delivery system. The counsellor calls the patient every two weeks, sometimes the patient also calls. Every month, the helpline submits a report to the district leprosy officer (DLO) who ensures further need-based support to the patient. Through its two years of operation serving six districts of Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand; the helpline has been able to counsel 218 patients on treatment, 81% of defaulters re-start multi-drug therapy (MDT), 53% of ulcers healed and some household contacts of the patients administered single-dose rifampicin (SDR) post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). The initiative has been selected as a best practice by the Central Leprosy Division, Government of India. This strategy has potential for scale-up in India and similar settings elsewhere.HelplineLeprosyIndiaDrug AdherenceSelf-care and PEP.Journal ArticleIndiaMD, Chief Executive Officer, NLR India, C4/139, Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi-110016, IndiaMSW, Former Counselor, Call Center, Rajasthan, NLR India, C4/139, Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi-110016, IndiaB.Pharma, MBA, Community Based Rehabilitation Coordinator, Rajasthan, NLR India, C4/139, Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi-110016, IndiaBDS, MPH, State Programme Lead, Rajasthan, NLR India, C4/139, Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi-110016, IndiaB. Com (Hons.), Advanced Diploma in Computers, Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning, NLR India, C4/139, Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi-110016, IndiaMBBS, DTMH, MSc, Head, Programmes, NLR India, C4/139, Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi-110016, India