• In 2026, WLD was observed on 25 January, marking its 73rd observance, while in 2027, WLD will be observed on 31 January.
• In India, National Leprosy Day  is observed annually on 30 January, coinciding with the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Theme:
2026 Theme: “Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma.”
Significance:It promotes awareness about leprosy, addresses social stigma, and urges collective action to eliminate the disease.
About Leprosy:
Hansen’s Disease:  Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease and named after Norwegian physician Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, is caused by Mycobacterium bacteria and mainly affects the skin, peripheral nerves, eyes, and upper respiratory tract.
Incubation Period: Leprosy has a long incubation period, with symptoms often appearing 5 to 20 years after infection.
Mode of Transmission: The disease spreads through droplets from the nose and mouth during prolonged close contact with untreated individuals.
Treatment: Leprosy is completely curable with Multidrug Therapy (MDT), which has been provided free of cost by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1995.
Global Status : Leprosy is classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) and remains endemic in more than 120 countries, with around 2,00,000 new cases reported worldwide each year
Initiatives for Leprosy in India:
National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP): Under the NLEP, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW) has reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminating leprosy and the stigma associated with it.

•  The programme provides free diagnosis and MDT at government health facilities.
• The NLEP has set an ambitious goal of ‘Zero Transmission, Zero Leprosy’ by 2027.