Indonesia Aims to Eliminate Leprosy by 2030

Each individual deserves to live a healthy life. Yet, diseases often come without warning, and some illnesses carry burdens beyond physical ones, like social stigma and discrimination. Leprosy is one of them. For decades and even centuries, leprosy has been a persistent health issue worldwide, including in Indonesia. In this light, Indonesia is accelerating its efforts to eliminate leprosy, setting an ambitious target of zero leprosy by 2030.

Understanding Leprosy

Caused by the Mycobacterium leprae bacteria, Leprosy is among the world’s oldest diseases. It is also known as Hansen’s disease, after a Norway scientist who discovered the bacterium in 1873, Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen. This infectious disease primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract, and eyes.

The disease develops very slowly due to slow bacterium reproduction. In fact, the incubation period can span several years. Leprosy symptoms include skin lesions, loss of sensation (anesthesia), nerve thickening, muscle weakness, painless wounds, and dry stiff skin. Beyond physical disability, many people affected by leprosy also face stigmatization and discrimination. However, leprosy is curable with proper treatment, particularly through Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT).

Leprosy in Indonesia

Indonesia ranks among countries with the highest leprosy cases globally. In 2023, the leprosy prevalence in Indonesia was 0.62 cases per 10,000 population. They amounted to 17,251 registered cases, including 12,798 new cases. The numbers showed a significant spike compared to the previous year at 15,052 registered cases with 12,095 new cases, or the prevalence of 0.55 per 10,000 population. The actual number of cases could be significantly higher considering unreported cases.

Over the years, multiple interventions have been implemented to prevent and control this Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD). Existing interventions include early detection, rapid treatment through MDT, mass administration of antibiotics, active surveillance, and public health education to counter stigma. Yet, thousands continue to be affected each year.

Indonesia’s Strategy to Eliminate Leprosy by 2030

To ensure the population’s wellbeing, the Indonesian Government is committed to eliminate leprosy by 2030. In gradual steps, Indonesia aims to eliminate leprosy across 11 districts and cities by 2025 and 42 additional ones by 2029. Beyond leprosy, Indonesia also aims to eliminate filariasis or ‘elephantiasis’ by the same year.

Toward leprosy elimination by 2030, the Indonesian Government implements five key strategies:

• The expansion of acceleration areas
• Mass-scale screenings in prioritized zones
• Implementing risk screening of Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DHS)
• Strengthening the availability and accessibility of MDT
• Advancing research and clinical trials for leprosy vaccines

Indonesia highlighted this commitment during the International Leprosy Congress (ILC) 2025 in Bali. The Congress served as a global platform for knowledge exchange and multi-stakeholder collaboration across nations. During the event, a joint commitment was signed by five local government leaders from high-prevalence regions in Indonesia, namely Bekasi, Tangerang, Brebes, Sampang, and Jayapura.

Eradicating Stigma and Discrimination

“Leprosy is also about stigma and discrimination,” said the Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin during the ILC 2025.

Eliminating leprosy also means to eradicate its stigma and discrimination embedded in society. Intensifying and expanding public education that highlights the urgency of empathy and respect to human dignity is an important first step. Everyone, from regular individuals to healthcare professionals, must take part in these efforts to successfully eliminate leprosy as soon as possible.

Translator: Dinda Meta Rahmania

Abul Muamar

Managing Editor at Green Network Asia | Website |  + postsBio

Amar is the Manager of Indonesian Digital Publications at Green Network Asia. He holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy from Universitas Gadjah Mada and a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Universitas Sumatera Utara. He has over ten years of professional experience in journalism as a reporter and editor for several national-level media companies in Indonesia. He is also a writer, editor, and translator with a particular interest in socio-economic and environmental issues.

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