Lepra.

Help us support vulnerable people to live with fairness and dignity Dear All , As autumn arrives and the days become shorter, I am delighted to shine a light on the extraordinary work happening across India and Bangladesh, and the incredible progress you - our wonderful supporters, have helped us to achieve. September has been an action-packed month for Lepra: The World Health Organization (WHO) released the latest data on global leprosy cases, giving us cause to reflect on the bigger picture and help us better understand the challenges ahead. We're opening two new referral centres in Assam, India and we are celebrating with LEPRA Society on their recent WHO award - a testament to the great work being conducted! Recognising progress vs. unfinished business - what the WHO data means With data collected from 188 countries, the report shows clear progress in our collective efforts to control leprosy in endemic areas across the globe. However, the data demonstrates that, despite the drop from 182,815 new cases in 2023 to 172,717 in 2024, over 5% of this figure still represents children receiving a diagnosis. Please read our WHO data analysis and learn why this may be a warning sign that progress may still be too slow. However, the ASPIRE programme offers us hope, with a proven approach to early detection and treatment, the project is helping to dramatically increase detection rates in Bihar and to bring vital support to the people and communities with the greatest level of need. People like Birju Devi (pictured), who thanks to this early intervention, has avoided her condition progressing to more serious disabilities. ASPIRE is run in partnership with Canadian global health organisation Effect Hope. Read a recent article about ASPIRE's progress by Linda El Omari - Institutional Trusts and Fundraising Manager.  New charity partnerships bring vital support for the tea farmers of Assam September has also seen the opening of a new referral centre and satellite centre in the tea gardens of Assam, India. The expansion of our services to the state of Assam enables us to provide vital healthcare to the tea farmers and their families in this widely underserved region. The new centres have been made possible thanks to new corporate partnerships with Haddenham Healthcare and Tea People who have helped fund this important new project.  WHO award for LEPRA Society We're thrilled to celebrate our sister organisation LEPRA Society on winning the inaugural World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region Award for Public Health Champion (Institution Category)! The award was announced on 22 September 2025 by the WHO regional office in Delhi. Read more about the award and comments from Prasant Kumar Naik - Chief Executive, LEPRA Society here. Thank you again for your continued support and for joining us on our journey to a world free from the physical, social and emotional impact of neglected tropical diseases.