World Leprosy Day (WLD) is annually observed across the globe on the last Sunday of January to celebrate people who have experienced leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, and to promote the dignity of people affected by the disease.
- WLD also raises awareness of the disease and educates people to eradicate leprosy-related stigma and discrimination.
World Leprosy Day 2024 observed on 28th January 2024 marks the 71st observance of the day.
- In 2023, WLF was observed on 29 January 2023; and in 2025, WLD will be observed on 26 January 2025.
The 2024 theme of WLD is, “Beat Leprosy.”
Note: The theme serves as a powerful reminder of the need to address the social and psychological aspects of leprosy, alongside the medical interventions to eliminate the disease.
3 key messages of the theme:
The 2024 theme calls attention to 3 key messages:
- Leprosy still exists
- End stigma and discrimination
- Act now to end leprosy
Background:
WLD was established by the French journalist Raoul Follereau in 1954 with 2 goals:
- to advocate for the equal treatment of persons affected by leprosy; and
- to reeducate the public about leprosy by correcting historical misconceptions surrounding the disease.
Significance:
2024 also marks the 151st anniversary of the discovery of M. leprae (Mycobacterium leprae,), the causative agent of leprosy, by the Norwegian physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen on February 28, 1873.
Observance in India:
In India, WLD is annually observed on 30 January, coinciding with the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who did much work with persons affected by leprosy and died on 30 January in 1948.
About Leprosy:
i.Leprosy is a chronic condition caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae, which multiplies slowly, with an incubation period of about 5 years.
- However, the symptoms may take up to 20 years to appear.
ii.It spreads through droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with untreated cases but isn’t highly infectious.
iii.If left untreated, leprosy causes progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes.
iv.Leprosy is curable with Multidrug Therapy (MDT), and treatment provided in the early stages averts disability.
- Since 1995, the World Health Organization (WHO) has made MDT available free of charge to all patients worldwide.
Points to Note:
i.WHO has a goal of 120 countries reporting zero new autochthonous cases of leprosy by 2030.
ii.Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that still occurs in more than 120 countries, with more than 200,000 new cases reported every year.
Launch of Global Appeal 2024:
i.The Global Appeal 2024 to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy will be launched at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on January 31, 2024.
- The ceremony will be led by the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative and hosted by WHO.
ii.The Appeal is being signed by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Mr. Yohei Sasakawa.
About World Health Organization (WHO):
Director General– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Established on– 7 April 1948
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
