Achieving Zero Leprosy by 2035

Rarely - very rarely - an opportunity comes up to break the chains of an ancient terror, once and for all, and benefit the billions of people who will make up every generation to come. We have such an opportunity now: a practical, achievable plan for Zero Leprosy by 2035. 

After thousands of years of otherwise happy and healthy people having their lives impacted by the ravages of leprosy, this very real prospect is achievable through a combination of treatment, cures, early intervention, and one simple sentence being understood all over the world.

The free, safe, effective cure for leprosy is available in all the places it wreaks havoc, including Nepal and India, where the majority of cases are.

The fact leprosy can be made non contagious frees those people who do get it to be part of their communities and families, a basic privilege that has so often been lost to this disease. The ostracism, loneliness and poverty they have historically experienced is every bit as damaging as the disease itself. 

All that’s required is for the whole population to hear and understand this. 

The International Nepal Fellowship has, since 1957, run ground-breaking hospitals and treatment centres to help Nepali people experiencing leprosy manage the symptoms. It’s vital, inspiring and powerfully compassionate work we are honoured to do. 

Even more important are the information sessions runs in remote villages, which are 3-4 days hard hiking to access. Vital knowledge may not reach this far, and the consequences can be grim. 

Sharing this simple information, accompanied by the screening and testing we do where we can, can completely change the course of thousands of lives each year, empowering people to halt leprosy’s escalation, transmission and human cost. 

You can play a vital role in this moment in history by partnering with us. 

If you’re able to, donating $80 to pay for an information session to a village can protect and help some of the world’s most vulnerable people - now, and for many generations to come.. 

To learn more about INF Australia’s inspiring work in community education and health care