Stigma, not medicine, blocks the final push to eradicate leprosy despite a curable disease and massive progress.
Story Highlights
- WHO extends the 25-year Novartis partnership through 2030 for free global treatment.
- 55 of 188 reporting areas achieved zero leprosy cases in 2024.
- 172,717 new cases detected worldwide last year signal ongoing transmission.
- World Leprosy Day 2026 theme: “Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma.”
- The public-private model sets precedent for tackling neglected tropical diseases.
WHO Announces Partnership Extension
WHO released its statement on January 21, 2026, renewing commitment to leprosy elimination. This marks 25 years of collaboration with Novartis, now extended through 2030. Novartis continues supplying free multidrug therapy and clofazimine worldwide. The deal funds single-dose rifampicin for post-exposure prophylaxis to contacts of cases. This sustains treatment access in low-income countries where leprosy persists.
Progress in Global Case Reduction
In 2024, 188 countries reported to WHO with 55 achieving zero new cases, representing 29 percent of areas. Global new detections totaled 172,717 cases, down significantly from historical peaks. Multidrug therapy since the 1980s made leprosy curable, transforming it from lifelong affliction to short-course treatment. Endemic nations implement detection programs, yet transmission lingers in pockets.
Stigma Emerges as Core Barrier
Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, attacks skin and nerves, causing disabilities if untreated. Medical advances cured the disease, but social stigma isolates patients and families. World Leprosy Day on January 25, 2026, spotlights this with its theme. Global Appeal 2026 on January 29 targets discrimination. Persons affected drive advocacy for rights and integration.
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Strategic Pillars Drive Elimination
WHO’s Global Leprosy Strategy 2021-2030 outlines four pillars. Countries develop zero-leprosy roadmaps with integrated detection. Programs scale prevention, manage complications, and combat stigma. Leprosy fits the Neglected Tropical Diseases Roadmap, emphasizing human rights. This holistic shift recognizes social factors as vital alongside drugs.
Stakeholder Commitments and Impacts
Dr. Jeremy Farrar of WHO praised Novartis’s quarter-century role in transforming lives. Dr. Lutz Hegemann highlighted Novartis’s history since discovering leprosy’s first cure. Yohei Sasakawa, Goodwill Ambassador for 25 years, amplifies affected voices. Endemic countries gain cost savings and reduced burdens. Communities see less isolation, boosting productivity and health equity. This model proves the private sector can align profit with global good, resonating with conservative values of self-reliance and partnership.
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Delighted to announce the extension of the @WHO–@Novartis memorandum of understanding, continuing the provision of free multidrug therapy for #leprosy treatment and expanding support to include funding for single-dose rifampicin for post-exposure prophylaxis.
For 25 years, WHO…— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 21, 2026
Sources:
WHO Official Statement (January 21, 2026)
WHO extends landmark deal to scale free leprosy treatment worldwide
WHO Fact Sheet on Leprosy
WHO Highlights Partnerships and Progress Toward Eliminating Leprosy Globally
WHO Renews Commitment to Leprosy-Free World
