Chair of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Leprosy Dr. Patricia Deps
Members of the Technical Advisory Group
Colleagues
A good morning to you all.
I would like to start by welcoming the new members of this reconstituted TAG, thanking you for accepting this responsibility and for your commitment to the elimination of leprosy.
My thanks and appreciation also to the outgoing TAG members for their invaluable contributions and guidance during their tenure. Their expertise has shaped our programme and achieved significant milestones.
As we reflect on the work done so far, we have much to celebrate. We have made remarkable progress in reducing the global burden of leprosy thanks to the commitment and efforts of national programmes, health workers, partners, and advisory bodies such as this TAG.
This year has been particularly significant for our global surveillance efforts. I am pleased to note that a record 188 countries reported leprosy data for 2024—the most comprehensive to date. This is a clear demonstration of the commitment of the countries with leprosy elimination programmes.
Building on Jordan's historic milestone last year as the first country in the world to be verified and acknowledged for eliminating leprosy, an independent verification mission has recently been undertaken to verify elimination of the disease in Chile. These serve as examples and an inspiration to all other countries.
Our efforts to interrupt transmission and reduce the burden of leprosy continue. WHO encourages contact screening, along with post-exposure prophylaxis with single-dose rifampicin as part of routine programme implementation. It is very encouraging that with support from Novartis, WHO will soon make rifampicin available for a global scale-up of this initiative.
I am also pleased to share significant progress made by our Technical Working Groups on leprosy among children, and on antimicrobial resistance surveillance. Their guidance will help address challenges related to management of the disease in children and will help strengthen antimicrobial resistance surveillance for leprosy.
Digital tools remain at the forefront of effective programme management and decision-making. The DHIS2-based solutions are promising—particularly the case-based management tool, and the leprosy elimination monitoring tool.
Despite the progress made, challenges remain.
New cases continue to be reported globally, with children representing a significant proportion. This is a reminder that active transmission persists in many communities and underscores the importance of early case detection, prompt treatment, and the implementation of preventive strategies.
Even as we address the medical aspects of the disease, we must not neglect the social dimensions. Stigma and discrimination remain significant barriers to care-seeking and treatment adherence.
Empowerment and the meaningful engagement of affected persons is critical to the success of our efforts.
I am pleased that this meeting includes sessions specifically on stigma and mental health. This is a recognition of the reality that leprosy is more than a medical disease.
Colleagues,
I look forward to your expert insights and inputs. Your guidance on the plans proposed by the Global Leprosy Programme for the next biennium will be particularly valuable.
Achieving a world with zero disease, zero disability, and zero discrimination is within our reach.
With your expertise, the commitment of member states, and the support of our partners, I am confident that we will reach our destination.
I thank you all, once again, for your commitment to this cause, and wish you a productive and successful meeting.
Thank you.