Name: World Leprosy Day (WLD)
Start: 2025-01-30
End: 2025-01-30
Location: Nepal

What basic facts you need to know ?

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a less infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria, Mycobacterium Leprae.
The bacteria are transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contact with untreated people.
The disease is curable with multidrug therapy. Untreated, leprosy can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes.

World Leprosy Day 2025: “Unite, Act, and Eliminate Leprosy”

How was the Global Situation in 2023?

184 countries reported leprosy cases.
182,815 new cases were detected.
72% (131,425) of new cases were reported in the South-East Asia Region.
39.8% (72,845) of new cases were among females and 5.6% (10,322) cases were children.
5% (9,729) of new cases had disabilities.
Case detection increased by 5% in 2023 compared with 2022 (174,087 cases).
At the end of 2023, 172,510 cases were under treatment globally. (WHO)

1960: Leprosy sample survey conducted by GoN in collaboration with WHO Prevalence of 100,000 leprosy cases were estimated
1966: Dapsone monotherapy
1982:Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) introduced in Nepal
2010: Declaration of elimination as a public health problem at the national level
2015: LCD as the Disability Prevention and Rehailitation Focal unit; Introduction of Leprosy Post Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP)
2019: In-depth review of National Leprosy Program
2021: National Leprosy Roadmap of Nepal (2021-2030); National Leprosy Strategy (2021-2025).

Nepal has achieved elimination of leprosy as a public health problem at National level in 2010.
Government has developed a Roadmap for Zero Leprosy (2021-30) and National leprosy strategy and action plan (2021-2025) aligning to the Global Leprosy Strategy 2021-2030, with a goal of elimination of leprosy (interruption of transmission) at sub-national level (municipality).
25% decrease of the number of annual new leprosy cases between 2019 and 2023/24.
42% decrease of the new child leprosy case detection rate between 2019 and 2023/24.
48% reduction of the Number of child cases among new leprosy cases between 2019 and 2023/24.
Increase of the number of municipalities with zero leprosy cases from 65 (2019 baseline) to 353 (2023/24).

What are the ongoing Interventions?

Routine leprosy services are provided at all levels of health facilities.
Active case detection including contact examinations at high burden areas remains a high priority for the National Leprosy Program.
The government is providing Multi-Drug Therapy to patients free of costs.
Reconstructive surgery for patients with disabilities are consistently provided for free .
The government has endorsed and implemented preventive strategy of post-exposure prophylaxis with single dose rifampicin.

Some Challenges Remain

Stagnant Leprosy indicators since national level elimination as a public health problem in 2010.
Inadequate routine surveillance system.
Inadequate domestic funding- low priority.
Limited capacity and leprosy expertise.
Limited access or referral to essential care services for leprosy complications.
Stigma and discrimination towards people affected by leprosy

What are the Opportunities?

High level political commitment from MoHP through 20th Global Appeal 2025 to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy.
National Leprosy Conference 2025, which will accelerate the current momentum for leprosy elimination.
Support from Sasakawa Health Foundation and collaboration with other donors and partners.

Way Forward

Advocate for political commitment to sustain resources for leprosy in integrated context including domestic investment.
National partnerships for zero leprosy and zero leprosy roadmaps engaging all stakeholders.
Enhance capacity building in the healthcare system for quality services.
Strengthen the disease surveillance through Active Case Finding in high endemic districts and local levels.
Case-based surveillance system including data verification and case validation in endemic districts. Scale up Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for prevention of leprosy.
Intensify actions to reduce stigma and discrimination related to leprosy.

Download PDF (Nepali & English)

Nepal Leprosy Fact Sheet 2025