Leprosy: WHO & Novartis Renew Partnership to Fight Stigma & Ensure Cure | World Leprosy Day 2025

The World Health Organization (WHO) is reaffirming its commitment to eliminating leprosy, a disease that, despite being curable, continues to affect over 200,000 people annually worldwide. This renewed focus comes ahead of World Leprosy Day, observed on January 25th, and highlights the critical role of sustained partnerships and ongoing progress in tackling this ancient, yet preventable, illness.

A Disease Rooted in History, Challenged by Stigma

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily impacts the skin and peripheral nerves, and if left untreated, can lead to progressive and permanent disabilities. However, a readily available and effective cure exists: multidrug therapy (MDT). Despite this, the enduring challenge isn’t the disease itself, but the pervasive stigma surrounding it. This year’s World Leprosy Day theme, “Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma,” underscores this crucial point.

The stigma associated with leprosy manifests in devastating ways, leading to job loss, forced displacement, family rejection, and exclusion from education. As one person affected by leprosy poignantly stated, these consequences arise not from malice, but from a lack of understanding. Misconceptions about the disease – that it’s highly contagious, incurable, or divinely ordained – fuel discrimination and prevent individuals from seeking timely treatment. This fear of social ostracism often leads people to hide their symptoms, allowing the disease to progress and spread.

Progress and Partnerships: A 25-Year Collaboration

Significant strides have been made in leprosy elimination, with 55 out of 188 countries reporting zero new cases in 2024. However, 172,717 new cases were still detected globally that year, demonstrating the need for continued vigilance. A cornerstone of this progress has been the longstanding partnership between the WHO and pharmaceutical company Novartis, now entering its 25th year.

Since 2000, Novartis has provided MDT and clofazimine, free of charge, to patients worldwide. This collaboration, one of the most sustained pharmaceutical donation programs in global health, has been instrumental in transforming the lives of millions. Recently, the WHO and Novartis extended their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another five years (2026-2030), ensuring the continued supply of these essential medications, as well as funding for single dose rifampicin (SDR) for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General, emphasized that this partnership exemplifies the power of global solidarity in health, stating that “their steadfast support…has helped transform millions of lives and moved us closer to a world free from this ancient disease.”

The availability of free MDT not only cures the disease and prevents disabilities but also mitigates stigma, enabling affected individuals to maintain their livelihoods and lead fulfilling lives. Clofazimine is also vital in treating lepra reactions – sudden, severe inflammatory episodes that can lead to disabilities if left untreated.

Beyond Treatment: Addressing Stigma and Neglected Tropical Diseases

Although access to treatment is paramount, the WHO recognizes that eliminating leprosy requires a multifaceted approach. This includes actively combating the discrimination faced by those affected, and addressing the underlying misconceptions that perpetuate stigma. Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, highlighted the enduring challenge of social stigma, noting that it can persist even after treatment is completed, leading to divorce, educational setbacks, and job losses. WHO’s commitment extends beyond simply providing medication; it encompasses a broader effort to promote dignity and inclusion.

Leprosy is categorized as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), and efforts to eliminate it are integrated into the broader global strategy to combat NTDs. The NTD Roadmap 2021-2030 aims for leprosy elimination through interruption of transmission. This strategy focuses on contact screening, scaling up preventive chemotherapy, and mitigating stigma and discrimination. World NTD Day, observed on January 30th, provides another platform to raise awareness and mobilize action against these debilitating diseases.

The Role of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

The extension of the WHO-Novartis MoU also includes funding for single dose rifampicin (SDR) for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP involves administering a single dose of rifampicin to individuals who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with leprosy. This preventative measure can significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease, particularly in high-transmission areas. The inclusion of SDR in the partnership demonstrates a proactive approach to interrupting the chain of transmission.

What Lies Ahead: Sustaining Momentum and Political Commitment

Sustaining the progress made against leprosy requires continued political commitment, robust community engagement, and unwavering collaboration. The WHO emphasizes the importance of ensuring that every person affected by leprosy is detected early and receives prompt treatment. World Leprosy Day serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing need for awareness, advocacy, and action. The global strategy for leprosy elimination is shifting towards not only reducing the number of cases but also interrupting transmission and eliminating the disease entirely. This requires a sustained, coordinated effort from governments, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and communities worldwide.

Looking forward, the WHO will continue to lead efforts to combat discrimination, promote early detection, and ensure access to treatment for all those affected by leprosy. The success of these efforts will depend on maintaining strong partnerships, fostering community engagement, and prioritizing the needs of those living with this curable, yet often stigmatized, disease.