DHAKA, Sept 06, 2026 (BSS) – Superstitions surrounding leprosy have largely diminished in the country, and the prevalence of the disease has declined significantly; however, greater coordination alongside increased resources remains essential to achieve its elimination.
 
The World Health Organization (WHO) set a number of targets in 1991 for the global elimination of leprosy. One of the targets was to reduce the number of patients undergoing treatment to less than one per 10,000 populations by 2000.
 
Bangladesh achieved that target in 1998. Alongside the government’s health department, several non-governmental organizations, particularly a number of Christian missionary institutions, played an important role in achieving this target. One such organization has been working in leprosy care in the country for more than 100 years.
 
When Bangladesh gained independence, the prevalence of leprosy in the country was much higher, although epidemiological data are still not available. At the time, people affected by leprosy were commonly seen begging in major cities. That situation has long disappeared. People with severely advanced leprosy, whose hands and feet had deteriorated or who had become disabled due to the disease, are no longer seen.
 
Leprosy is one of the world’s oldest diseases. It was once surrounded by deep-rooted superstition. It was believed that leprosy resulted from sin, and those affected were regarded as a cursed community. They were excluded from society, faced neglect and hatred, and had limited access to treatment and care.
 
Today, both the cause of the disease and its treatment are well understood.
 
The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh has been working on leprosy for many years. Sholomon Sumon Halder, the organization's country director, said, “There are now strengthened programmes in the country to identify leprosy patients. Public awareness about the disease has increased. Superstitions have largely disappeared. Treatment is available for patients. Rehabilitation programmes are also in place.”
 
Providing services for more than 100 years
 
Christian missionaries established a hospital at Chandraghona in Kaptai upazila of Rangamati district in 1913. In the same year, a leprosy patient sought treatment there, marking the beginning of leprosy treatment services at the hospital. It is now known as the Christian Leprosy Care Centre and is one of the oldest leprosy hospitals in Bangladesh and the Indian subcontinent. The hospital authorities later established clinics and expanded services to Chattogram city, Patiya, Feni, Malumghat, Bandarban and Rangamati districts.
 
In 1954, several sisters from the United States established a hospital for leprosy patients at Jolchhatra in the Madhupur Sal Forest of Tangail district. Since 1972, following Bangladesh’s independence, the hospital has been operated by the Damien Foundation.
 
In the years immediately after independence, the prevalence of leprosy was particularly high in several northern districts. In 1977, the Danish Bangladesh Leprosy Mission launched leprosy services in Nilphamari with support from the Danish Santal Mission and several donor organizations from Denmark.
 
At that time, those involved realized that hospital-based treatment and care alone would not reduce the prevalence of leprosy. A comprehensive and coordinated programme was needed.
 
National programme expanded nationwide
 
Before Bangladesh’s independence, the government launched leprosy treatment and control activities in 1965 at three hospitals in Nilphamari, Sylhet and Mohakhali. The programme was later expanded to the thana level, now known as upazilas.
 
The Directorate General of Health Services introduced the National Leprosy Elimination Programme in 1993. At present, a separate operational plan for tuberculosis and leprosy is being implemented under the Health, Nutrition and Population Sector Programme.
 
The programme emphasizes identifying infected individuals and ensuring prompt treatment. It also focuses on addressing the social and economic needs of people affected by leprosy and on the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
 
“There are now strengthened programmes in the country to identify leprosy patients. Public awareness about the disease has increased. Treatment is available for patients. Rehabilitation programmes are also in place,” said Sholomon Sumon Halder, Country Director of The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh.
 
Currently, every upazila health complex in the country provides facilities for leprosy diagnosis and treatment. The government’s programme is supported by eight non-governmental organizations: The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh, LEPRA Bangladesh, Damien Foundation Bangladesh, HEED Bangladesh, RDRS, Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre, Salvation Army and PIME Sisters. These organizations work to eliminate superstitions, raise awareness, provide health education, train government health workers, and support patient detection and treatment.
 
In addition, the World Health Organization and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) regularly provide technical assistance to the Directorate General of Health Services for leprosy elimination.
 
According to the Directorate General of Health Services, implementation of the national programme has significantly reduced the prevalence of leprosy. During the mid-1980s, between 10,000 and 11,000 leprosy patients were identified annually. In 2020, the number of detected cases fell to 2,724.
 
The government's target is that no new leprosy patient will be detected in Bangladesh after 2030. Relevant government and non-government officials said that achieving zero new leprosy cases will require greater coordination in addition to increased manpower and resources.