Many people when asked about leprosy tend to think of it as a biblical disease. The shocking truth is that the World Health Organization (WHO) still lists leprosy as one of the major health problems of developing countries – including India, Brazil, Africa, Nepal and Bangladesh. The latest figures from the WHO (produced in 2004) are shown below.

WHO Region	Cases on treatment at beginning of 2005	New Cases Detected in 2004
Africa	47,596	46,918
Americas	36,877	52,662
Eastern Med.	5,398	3,392
S.E. Asia	186,182	298,603
Western Pacific	10,010	6,216
Total	286,063	407,791
Source: World Health Organisation 2005

Estimates suggest that for the foreseeable future there will continue to be several hundred thousand new patients diagnosed each year – almost one person every minute of every day.

NLRRW programmes restores hope, health and dignity to those affected by this terrible disease.

Current Global Leprosy Situation

Source: World Health Organisation 2003

The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies a Prevalence Rate of more than 1 case per 10,000 population as a public health problem.

N L R R W

Transforming

the

Lives of

Leprosy

Victims