Kala-azar is a slow progressing indigenous disease caused by a protozoan parasite of genus Leishmania. As per the comparative data between 1992 and 2003, available from National Vector Control Programme, there has been 76.38% decline in incidence and 85.20% in deaths caused by the disease.

National Health Policy, 2002 envisaged the target to eliminate Kala-azar by 2010 i.e. less than 1 case per 10,000 population at sub-district level, which could not be achieved. Now the revised target for elimination of Kala-azar as per union minister health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, is 2015.

Speaking in the Parliament on April 30, 2013, Mr Azad mentioned, "Kala-azar is a vector borne disease and its elimination from the community depends on various environmental, socio-economic and health systems related factors. The treatment procedure for the disease has been shifted from injectable to oral drug as first line of treatment to improve the treatment compliance."

"Miltefosine capsule has been introduced for both adult and children as 1st line treatment. The 2nd line treatment is Amphotericin B injection being used for pregnant women/child bearing age women and also for children less than one year age," added the minister further.