World Leprosy Day 2026 renewed global focus on leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, highlighting that although the disease is fully curable, many people still face stigma, discrimination and delays in diagnosis and care. The World Health Organization and regional health partners emphasised that modern multidrug therapy has made leprosy a treatable infection, yet fear, misinformation and social misconceptions continue to prevent many individuals from seeking care early, leading to avoidable complications and ongoing transmission.The theme "Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma" reflected the continued need to change public perceptions and protect the rights of those affected. While progress has been made in reducing cases in some regions, hundreds of thousands of new cases are still reported each year globally. Health experts stress that early detection, sustained public education, accessible healthcare services and strong community support remain essential to eliminating stigma and achieving long-term leprosy control.
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