Strengthening capacity of frontline health workers for leprosy diagnosis and management

Dhanusha, Madesh province  - From 2–4 July 2026, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, in collaboration with WHO Country Office for Nepal and with support from the Sasakawa Health Foundation, conducted a three-day leprosy training for Basic Health Service Staff at Lalgadh Hospital and Services Centre, Lalgadh in Dhanusha district, Madhesh Province. The training brought together twenty-five health workers, including Health Assistants, Auxiliary Health Workers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives and paramedics from 10 districts across Koshi, Madhesh and Bagmati Provinces, from where new cases of leprosy are being reported. The training equipped the participants with knowledge on practical skills in early and accurate case diagnosis, classification, treatment and management of leprosy cases, through effective multidrug therapy (MDT) administration, contact tracing, disability prevention, timely referral for complications management, and standardized recording and reporting in line with national protocols. The training supports the implementation of the National Leprosy Strategy through strengthening the capacity of frontline health workers for early diagnosis and effective case management, helping reduce disability, improve quality of life and interrupt disease transmission. WHO will continue supporting the National Leprosy Programme to accelerate progress towards interruption of leprosy transmission at the subnational level and achieving zero leprosy in Nepal.