Dhaka:Bangladesh has committed to accelerating efforts to achieve a leprosy-free status by following the 2026 Joint Monitoring Mission (JMM) on Leprosy. The mission, held from September 21-28, gathered national and international experts to evaluate the country's progress, assess the National Leprosy Programme's performance, and outline actions needed to stop leprosy transmission.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the mission aligns with the WHO Global Leprosy Strategy, aiming for zero leprosy disease, zero disability, and zero discrimination. It comprised consultations with health authorities, partners, and those affected by leprosy, alongside field visits to various health facilities and communities with different levels of leprosy burden.
Bangladesh had eliminated leprosy as a public health problem in 1998, but transmission persists, with 3,558 new cases reported in 2025, including 185 children and 208 people diagnosed with Grade 2 disability. This ongoing detection underscores the urgent need for earlier detection and transmission interruption.
Immediate priorities include reaffirming political commitment, securing sustainable financing for an updated national strategy for 'Leprosy-free Upazilas,' strengthening the National Leprosy Programme's capacity, updating guidelines, enhancing surveillance, and expanding case investigation and contact tracing. Over the medium term, recommendations focus on national leadership, preventive treatment expansion, improved diagnostic services, and greater involvement of people affected by leprosy in planning and care.
Professor Takahiro Nanri, President of the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) Initiative, praised the government's commitment, emphasizing the importance of early detection and reaching underserved communities. The mission highlighted that ending leprosy also involves addressing stigma, which contributes to treatment delays.
Dr. Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh, reiterated the need for equity, dignity, and inclusion, affirming WHO's continued technical support in partnership with the Sasakawa Health Foundation. The findings and recommendations from the mission will guide Bangladesh's national response through 2030, involving collaboration across government, partners, and communities.