As Tanzania marked World Leprosy Day last week, new figures from the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme (NTLP) show that Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions continued to report extremely low or no new cases, underscoring progress in early detection and the disease’s control.
According to the 2025 NTLP Annual Tuberculosis and Leprosy Epidemiological Report, which presents data up to 2023, Arusha Region recorded only one new leprosy case, while Kilimanjaro reported none during the year.
The two regions are among those with the lowest case notifications nationwide, at a time when Tanzania recorded more than 1,400 new cases overall.
“Leprosy is curable and treatment is available free of charge in our public health facilities,” the Minister for Health, Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa said, urging communities to stop hiding people affected by the disease and seek medical care as soon as symptoms appeared. He emphasised that early detection prevented progression to disability and further transmission.
Speaking during the national commemoration of World Leprosy Day, the Minister said the figures demonstrated that leprosy eradiction was achievable, but warned against complacency. He stressed that the disease persisted mainly because of late diagnosis driven by stigma and misinformation.
The minister also called on regional and council health management teams to strengthen active case reporting, contact tracing and community education, particularly in areas that continue to report higher numbers of cases. He said eliminating stigma was as important as medical treatment in the fight against leprosy.
