Bali: More than 700 participants from 23 countries and international organizations gathered in Bali, Indonesia, for the 22nd International Leprosy Congress (ILC) from Monday to Wednesday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the event, themed "Towards a World with Zero Leprosy," emphasized the importance of speeding up global efforts to eliminate leprosy through cross-country collaboration. Saima Wazed, the World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for Southeast Asia and head of the WHO Global Leprosy Program, highlighted the urgent need to end the disease, disability, stigma, and discrimination during the opening ceremony on Monday.

She further noted WHO's focus on strengthening surveillance systems, increasing community engagement, and enhancing the capabilities of local health workers. The organization called for wider partnerships with governments, researchers, civil society, and affected individuals to create a leprosy-free world, ensuring no one is left behind.

WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, Yohei Sasakawa, underlined that leprosy is curable if detected and treated early. However, nearly 200,000 new cases are reported each year, with many hidden cases remaining unrecorded.

Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized Indonesia's commitment to combating leprosy. As the world's third-highest leprosy-burden country after India and Brazil, Indonesia is dedicated to providing political support, implementing screening programs, and offering therapies to reduce the number of cases.

The ILC, held every three years, serves as a significant global gathering for researchers, program leaders, policymakers, and advocates working to eradicate leprosy and its consequences. It provides a critical platform for sharing the latest insights, evidence, and best practices from the leprosy and global health sectors.