Nepal strengthens partner coordination for leprosy elimination and priorities for 2026-2030

Kathmandu, Bagmati Province – The Ministry of Health and Food Safety (MoHFS) and WHO Country Office for Nepal, with support from the Sasakawa Health Foundation, convened a national coordination meeting with partners and stakeholders to review progress and strengthen collaboration towards leprosy elimination. More than 50 government officials, health workers, partners, people affected by leprosy and other stakeholders participated in the programme held from 29-30 October 2026. The meeting reviewed programme achievements and implementation challenges, discussed partner-supported activities and agreed to strengthen coordination to avoid duplication, particularly across the same districts and local levels, and maximize impact. The meeting also reviewed progress on adoption of the Leprosy Case-based Surveillance System, development of the National Strategic Plan for Leprosy 2026–2030, and revision of the  Leprosy Case Management Guidelines; and reached consensus on the leprosy hotspot mapping to guide targeted actions in priority area settings. These efforts will contribute to Nepal’s national goal of interrupting leprosy transmission, aligning with the Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030 and WHO Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021–2030. WHO will continue to support Nepal’s journey towards zero infection, zero disability and zero stigma from leprosy.