World Leprosy Day
Observed on 26 January
Leprosy patient
World Leprosy Day 2025
Unite. Act. Eliminate.
World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of January, every year. In 2025, the World Leprosy Day is on 26 January. This international day is an opportunity to celebrate people who have experienced leprosy, raise awareness of the disease, and call for an end to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination.
The theme for World Leprosy Day 2025 is "Unite. Act. Eliminate.". The theme is a call to action aiming to raise awareness of leprosy, highlight the challenges faced by persons affected by leprosy, and inspire collaborative action to eliminate leprosy.
- Global Commitment ("Unite"): Eliminating leprosy requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including governments, healthcare providers, NGOs, communities and individuals.
- Immediate Action ("Act"): Proactive measures, including public education, early diagnosis, prevention programs, prompt treatment, and empowering persons affected by leprosy, are essential to interrupt transmission and eliminate the disease.
- A Clear Goal ("Eliminate Leprosy"): Eliminating the disease – the World Health Organizations’ global goal - is achievable with sustained commitment. Current medical interventions and collaborative efforts have brought us closer, but continued investment in diagnostics, innovative treatments, and outreach is essential.
The campaign can also leverage the momentum of World NTD Day to raise awareness of leprosy as a neglected tropical disease and garner additional support.
A video message by WHO Representative to Nepal
Campaign Materials
What are the facts about leprosy? (Nepali language)
How can we eliminate leprosy? (Nepali language)
Fact Sheets
News from Nepal
Global News
Publications
Risk assessment of Listeria monocytogenes in foods: part 2: Risk assessment: meeting report
The 52nd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) requested the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) to...
In May 2022, Member States adopted the Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders 2022-2031, which aims to improve access...
This document is part of the process for improving the quality of care in family planning. Selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use (SPR)...
Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) guideline for mental, neurological and substance use disorders:...
This guideline includes 48 updated and new evidence-based recommendations related to MNS conditions. The guideline is targeted towards non-specialized...