DILI, 07 March 2025 (TATOLI) – Today, the WHO Representative, Arvind Mathur handed over the second installment of anti-leprosy drugs to the Ministry of Health, ensuring sufficient supplies for 2025.
This initiative reflects WHO’s ongoing commitment to eliminating leprosy in Timor-Leste and aligns with the goal of achieving ‘Zero Leprosy’ by 2030.
“As part of these efforts, the ‘Roadmap Towards Zero Leprosy in Timor-Leste’ is currently being drafted, reinforcing our collective dedication to a leprosy-free future,” said in a statement.
In 2023, WHO, together with the Ministry of Health (MoH) launched the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Leprosy to achieve zero leprosy transmission in the country. WHO’s Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030 “Towards zero leprosy” was developed with the aim to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Originally considered eliminated in Timor-Leste in 2011, there has been a resurgence of cases with rising numbers reported each year in 6 municipalities: Dili, Oecusse, Ainaro, Covalima, Manatuto and Baucau, according to Menzies.
Since 2000, the Ministry of Health has registered more than 5.000 cases of leprosy in Timor-Leste.
Leprosy, known as Hansen disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused mainly by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. The disease affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. Apart from the physical deformity, persons affected by leprosy also face stigmatization and discrimination. However, leprosy is curable and treatment in the early stages can prevent disability, according to WHO. ‘
Leprosy is reported from all the six WHO regions; the majority of annual new case detections are from the South-East Asia Region, said WHO.
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