Global leprosy (Hansen disease) update, 2020: impact of COVID-19 on the global leprosy control

Overview

The aim of the global leprosy strategies published by WHO is to reduce the burden of the disease globally and in countries. Early detection and prompt treatment with multidrug therapy (MDT), the basic tenets of leprosy control, led to a significant reduction in the burden of leprosy by the early 2000s. Since 2006, there has been a strategic shift from a campaign approach to long-term integrated services focusing on leprosy complications, chronic care and quality of services, in addition to case detection and treatment. The strategies 2016–2020 and 2021–2030 continued to focus on breaking the chain of transmission and active case detection in both high- and low-burden settings. The recommendations include equity and social justice, emphasizing the inclusion of persons affected by leprosy, reducing stigma and discrimination, building partnerships and coalitions of stakeholders and endorsing increased ownership by countries.