Leprosy has been endemic in Myanmar since ancient times. The earliest information on the prevalence of leprosy in Myanmar came from a report by the Leprosy Commission in India published in 1893. During the census in 1891, 6464 cases or 8.4 per 10000 population were recorded in a population of 7.5 million. But the illness was diagnosed by enumerators without the knowledge of leprosy. Several surveys have been carried out since 1932 (Tha Saing-Santra) which indicated high prevalence in various parts of the country