KATHMANDU, JANUARY 28
On the occasion of the 72nd World Leprosy Day, Dr. Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal, highlighted Nepal's significant progress in combating leprosy while urging continued efforts to eliminate the disease entirely.
Nepal achieved the milestone of eliminating leprosy as a public health problem at the national level in 2010. Since then, the country has seen steady progress, including a 25% reduction in new cases and nearly a 50% decrease in child cases in 2024 compared to 2019. Notably, over 70% of local units have reported zero child cases for five consecutive years, underscoring progress toward a leprosy-free Nepal.
Despite these achievements, Dr. Pandav noted that the interruption of leprosy transmission remains unaccomplished, with 18 out of 77 districts still categorized as high-risk areas. He emphasized the need to address misconceptions surrounding the disease, which perpetuate fear, exclusion, and delays in seeking treatment.
"Persistent stigma and discrimination not only affect individuals but also hinder efforts to detect and treat affected people early," said Dr. Pandav. "To overcome this, we must focus on raising awareness, educating the public, and implementing inclusive policies."
Nepal's recent endorsement of the 20th Global Appeal 2025 to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy reaffirms the nation's commitment to fighting stigma. Spearheaded by the Sasakawa Foundation, the appeal highlights that leprosy is not just a health issue but also a social one, he added.
This year's World Leprosy Day theme, 'Unite. Act. Eliminate,' calls on leaders, health workers, communities, and partners to work together to eliminate leprosy and address other neglected tropical diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, kala-azar, and dengue.
Dr. Pandav urged increased investments, stronger healthcare systems, and efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination, emphasizing that these steps are essential to achieving a leprosy-free Nepal. "Together, we can achieve a leprosy-free Nepal. Let's act now," he concluded.
World Leprosy Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and the collective responsibility to create a future free from leprosy and its associated stigma.
