World Leprosy Day 2022: In 2022, World Leprosy Day is Sunday 30 January. It is always takes place on the last Sunday of January.
This date was chosen by French humanitarian, Raoul Follereau as a tribute to the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who did much work with persons affected by leprosy and died at the end of January in 1948.
What is World Leprosy Day?
It is organized by organizations of people affected by leprosy and leprosy-focused NGOs, including The Leprosy Mission, and is an opportunity to raise the voices of people affected by leprosy throughout the world.
What is the theme for World Leprosy Day 2022?
The theme for 2022 is ‘United for Dignity’. The campaign honors the lived experiences of individuals who have experienced leprosy by sharing their empowering stories and advocating for mental wellbeing and the right to a dignified life free from disease-related stigma.
The key messages are:
- Together we can lift up every voice and honor the experiences of people who have experienced leprosy.
- People who experience leprosy face mental wellbeing challenges due to stigma, discrimination, and isolation.
- People who experience leprosy have the right to a dignified life free from disease-related stigma and discrimination.
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Why do we celebrate World Leprosy Day?
This day is celebrated to raise awareness of a disease that many people think does not exist anymore.
Each year there are 200,000 people diagnosed with leprosy and there are millions who are living with the damaging consequences of delayed leprosy treatment.
It is an opportunity to celebrate the lives of those affected, raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease, and tackle the stigma that too often surrounds leprosy.
It is also an opportunity to raise money so that we can be the generation that ends leprosy transmission.
What can you share this World Leprosy Day?
If you want to raise awareness with us online this World Leprosy Day, here are some key facts and details that you can share:
- Leprosy is curable with a combination of antibiotics known as Multi Drug Therapy (MDT). This treatment is available for free across the world. If leprosy is not treated, it can lead to serious complications.
- Leprosy is at least 4,000 years old, making it one of the oldest diseases known to humanity. However, we believe we can be the generation that finally ends the transmission of leprosy. The target is zero transmission by 2035.
- Leprosy still exists! Around 200,000 people are diagnosed with leprosy each year and many millions are living with leprosy-related disabilities, particularly across Asia, Africa, and South America.
