Indonesia remains among the countries with the highest leprosy burden globally, with more than 16 000 new cases reported in 2025. Children accounted for 9.1% of new cases, showing that transmission is still occurring in households and communities. Although leprosy is curable and preventable, many people continue to be diagnosed late or avoid seeking care because of stigma, increasing the risk of disability and social exclusion.
To accelerate progress towards elimination, the Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), convened the 2026 National Leprosy Conference in Jakarta on 10 July 2026. The conference brought together senior government leaders, provincial representatives, development partners and persons affected by leprosy.
A major outcome was the signing of the Commitment Declaration for Accelerating Leprosy Elimination by 11 governors and 3 vice governors. In 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a regulation requiring subnational governments to allocate funding for priority diseases, including leprosy. Although the regulation provides a national mandate, progress depends on local governments dedicating sufficient resources. The declaration reinforces provincial leaders’ commitment to turn that mandate into action.
During the conference, WHO promoted evidence-based interventions to accelerate elimination efforts. These include active case finding, early diagnosis, complete treatment, post-exposure prophylaxis for eligible contacts, rehabilitation services and stigma reduction initiatives.
On the sidelines of the conference, representatives from the Ministry of Health, WHO and the Sasakawa Health Foundation visited the leprosy-friendly village in Jongaya, Makassar. As one of several such villages in Indonesia, Jongaya has trained healthcare workers and community members to recognise the early signs of leprosy and support timely referral for diagnosis and treatment. Peer counselling initiatives are also helping to reduce stigma and social exclusion. The visit emphasized the importance of ensuring that people affected by leprosy can access health services, education and employment without discrimination, while reinforcing the message that leprosy is curable.
The conference has catalysed provincial actions. Ingkong Ala, Vice Governor of North Kalimantan, said the province is ready to implement the key commitments agreed in the conference. “We will strengthen cross-sector collaboration and prepare a governor regulation and regional action plan to support interventions and financing for leprosy elimination,” he said. "We are also committed to creating an inclusive environment free from stigma and discrimination against people affected by leprosy. Survivors should have equal access to education, employment and social opportunities."
In South Papua, health officials are getting ready to reach out to multi-sectoral stakeholders. Dr Benedicta Herlina Rahangiar, Head of the South Papua Provincial Health, Population Control and Family Planning Office, said, “We will bring together district heads, health offices, local government agencies and other sectors to strengthen commitments for leprosy elimination.”
The next key step is to translate these commitments into funded provincial and district action plans that bring Indonesia closer to a leprosy-free future. Working with the Ministry of Health and the Sasakawa Health Foundation, WHO will support this process through technical assistance for planning, budgeting, surveillance, case management and program implementation in priority districts.
This activity is supported by the Sasakawa Health Foundation.
Written by Maria Regina Christian, National Professional Officer (Tuberculosis and Leprosy), and Bunga Manggiasih, National Professional Officer (Communication), WHO Indonesia