Dr. Patricia Deps, Chair of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Leprosy
Members of the Technical Advisory Group
Colleagues
Greetings to all.
When we last met, at the first meeting of this reconstituted TAG, we welcomed new members and set the agenda for the work ahead.
Six months later, we gather with much progress to report.
Then, Chile's verification mission had recently been undertaken.
Today, that process is complete, and Chile has been certified for the elimination of leprosy disease.
This is a special milestone, making Chile only the second country in the world to be certified for elimination, after Jordan.
It is proof that sustained political commitment, robust surveillance, and rigorous programme implementation deliver.
When we last met, we spoke of Jordan and Chile “as examples and inspiration for all other countries.”
Today, I am pleased to note that several countries are actively engaged with WHO in exploring the verification pathway.
We encourage them, and—as always—stand ready to support them.
When we last met, we anticipated that rifampicin would soon be available for global scale-up.
That assurance is now secured.
The renewal of the MoU between WHO and Novartis for a further five years, from 2026 to 2030, assures the supply of Multi-Drug Therapy, Clofazimine, and Single Dose Rifampicin for post-exposure prophylaxis.
This gives our Member States the certainty they need to plan and scale up preventive interventions with confidence.
When we last met, we encouraged the use of digital tools for effective programme management and decision-making.
Today, I am pleased to note that strengthened digital solutions are now supporting country-level surveillance and programme quality.
Since our last meeting, a number of important meetings and consultations have advanced the global agenda.
The Africa Working-Level Meeting on Leprosy Elimination in Brazzaville and the National High-level Conference on Leprosy in Brazil, both supported by the Sasakawa Health Foundation, signal that national commitment to accelerating elimination is building across regions.
On the normative side, I am pleased to note continued progress of our Technical Working Groups on leprosy among children and on antimicrobial resistance surveillance.
Most recently, the Paediatric Drug Optimization meeting advanced our thinking on child-friendly formulations for leprosy.
Yet even as we appreciate these gains, we must acknowledge that challenges remain.
New cases continue to be reported globally.
Children represent a substantial proportion of them, signaling active transmission in many communities.
That demands early detection, prompt treatment, and—of course—prevention.
And as we address the medical aspects of the disease, so too must we address its social dimensions.
Stigma and discrimination persist, hindering care-seeking and the social inclusion of persons affected by leprosy.
In this context, when we last met, we affirmed that the empowerment and meaningful engagement of persons affected was critical.
I am pleased to inform you that we are planning to convene a dedicated Technical Working Group on the participation of persons affected by leprosy.
It will be led by persons with lived experience of the disease. Not consulted but led.
Colleagues, your guidance is both timely and essential.
The goal is clear: zero disease, zero disability, and zero stigma and discrimination.
It is within reach.
It requires the clarity of your expertise, the commitment of partners and Governments, and the insights and lived experience of those affected by leprosy.
I wish you a productive and successful meeting, and I thank you for your commitment to this cause.