Highlights:
- Indonesia still reports around 17,000 to 20,000 new leprosy cases every year, placing it among the highest-burden countries in the world.
- WHO says many cases are still found late, including in children, which raises the risk of lifelong disability.
- In five priority districts, more than 12,000 people were examined through screening and community health work.
- WHO-backed action now focuses on early detection, preventive medicine, stronger reporting and better laboratory support.
Key Facts:
| Topic | Details |
| Annual burden | Around 17,000 to 20,000 new cases in Indonesia each year. |
| Main challenge | Late detection, stigma, weak reporting and limited access to care. |
| Community work | Screening, prevention and education in schools, health posts and primary care centres. |
| Field result | More than 12,000 people were examined in five priority districts. |
| Next phase | Expand proven actions to more districts and strengthen frontline care. |
Background:
Indonesia’s leprosy response is moving into a more practical phase. On 20 April 2026, WHO said the country is turning national commitment into real progress by bringing leprosy control closer to communities, schools and frontline health workers. The agency described leprosy in Indonesia as a disease shaped by inequality, with distance, weak reporting, limited services and stigma all slowing down care.
The scale remains serious. WHO says Indonesia still records around 17,000 to 20,000 new leprosy cases every year, one of the highest totals in the world. Many cases are still detected late, including among children, and that delay can lead to disability that lasts a lifetime.
The response now focuses on early action. WHO-supported teams have worked through primary healthcare centres, schools and community health posts to check skin conditions, give preventive medicine to close contacts and speak more openly about the disease. In five priority districts, more than 12,000 people were examined, helping health workers spot cases earlier and start treatment sooner.
In Greater Papua, where the burden remains highest, WHO also helped train laboratory staff so they can confirm cases more accurately. The agency said this step matters in remote areas, where diagnosis can take longer and reporting can be uneven.
WHO and the Ministry of Health also worked with provincial and district leaders to review data and agree on clearer action for hard-to-reach communities.
WHO says the next stage will expand these methods to more districts, strengthen reporting systems, support schools and community leaders, and improve laboratory and frontline capacity. The goal is simple: find cases earlier, stop disability, reduce stigma and move Indonesia closer to a future free from leprosy and discrimination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is driving Indonesia’s leprosy burden?
WHO points to distance, limited health services, weak reporting and stigma as major barriers.
How many leprosy cases does Indonesia report each year?
WHO says the country reports around 17,000 to 20,000 new cases annually.
What is WHO doing to help?
WHO is supporting screening, preventive treatment, better reporting and laboratory training in high-burden districts.
Why is early detection important?
WHO says late detection raises the risk of lifelong disability, especially when cases are found after nerve damage has begun.
