The WHO renews its commitment to a leprosy-free world and highlights partnerships and progress made on the eve of World Leprosy Day
January 21, 2026 Press release Geneva
https://www.who.int/es/news/item/21-01-2026-who-renews-commitment-to-a-l...
'On the eve of World Leprosy Day, which will be celebrated on January 25, the World Health Organization (WHO) points out that access to leprosy treatment is an essential element of global efforts to eliminate it...
'The theme of this year's World Leprosy Day is "Leprosy can be cured, the real challenge is stigmatization."
'This year also marks the 25th anniversary of Mr. Yohei Sasakawa's work as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, who stated: “One of the most persistent challenges I encounter on my travels is the social stigma associated with leprosy, which can be more problematic than the disease itself and continue long after treatment has ended.'
COMMENT (NPW): Stigma is closely related to misinformation and lack of understanding. HIFA stands ready to host a thematic discussion on the stigma of leprosy, or indeed on the stigma of any or all diseases that are characterised by stigma: HIV, tuberculosis, albinism, epilepsy, depression...
Best wishes, Neil
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org