World Leprosy Day
Observed on 26 January
WHO/Pan American Health organization
Leprosy patient
Leprosy patient
©
Credits
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)
/countries/nepal/facts-about-leprosy-1.jpg?sfvrsn=8c24eb2e_9 "Leprosy Tiles-1.1")
/countries/nepal/facts-about-leprosy-2.jpg?sfvrsn=6925810a_9 "Leprosy Tiles-1.1")
/countries/nepal/facts-about-leprosy-3.jpg?sfvrsn=c4fac8b1_9 "Leprosy Tiles-1.1")
/countries/nepal/facts-about-leprosy-4.jpg?sfvrsn=21c9d0_9 "Leprosy Tiles-1.1")
How can we eliminate leprosy? (Nepali language)
/countries/nepal/how-can-we-eliminate-leprosy-1.jpg?sfvrsn=b089b790_11 "Leprosy Tiles-1.1")
/countries/nepal/how-can-we-eliminate-leprosy-2aad65d9593624ea7987869f1c0445b5e.jpg?sfvrsn=7f576ea_11 "Leprosy Tiles-1.1")
/countries/nepal/how-can-we-eliminate-leprosy-2.jpg?sfvrsn=829144cc_10 "Leprosy Tiles-1.1")
/countries/nepal/how-can-we-eliminate-leprosy-3.jpg?sfvrsn=a7cdf898_11 "Leprosy Tiles-1.1")
/countries/nepal/how-can-we-eliminate-leprosy-5.jpg?sfvrsn=10f5cf5f_7 "Leprosy Tiles-1.1")
Fact Sheets
News from Nepal
Global News
Publications
5 September 2025
The selection and use of essential medicines, 2025: WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) classification...
he AWaRe classification is intended as a tool for monitoring antibiotic consumption, defining targets and monitoring the effects of stewardship policies...
5 September 2025
The selection and use of essential medicines, 2025: WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children,...
Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of a population. They are selected with due regard to disease prevalence and...
5 September 2025
The selection and use of essential medicines, 2025: WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 24th list
Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of a population. They are selected with due regard to disease prevalence and...
5 September 2025
The selection and use of essential medicines, 2025: report of the 25th WHO Expert Committee on Selection...
This executive summary reports the recommendations made by the Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines for the 2025 update of the...