Indonesia Ranks Third Globally for Leprosy, with 16,000 Cases
Indonesia remains one of the world’s countries with the highest number of leprosy cases. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin revealed that Indonesia ranks third globally for leprosy, behind only India and Brazil.
“When it comes to communicable diseases, Indonesia usually ranks first in the world. Tuberculosis is number two, and leprosy is number three globally,” Budi stated during the 2026 World Leprosy Day commemoration at the Ministry of Health in Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
Budi reported that leprosy cases in Indonesia totalled approximately 16,000 in the previous year. The disease has long been associated with poverty and continues to face strong social stigma within society.
Budi noted that leprosy is often viewed as a curse or shameful disease because it has been known for thousands of years, when its cause could not be scientifically explained. However, medically, the disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, which belongs to the same family as the bacterium that causes tuberculosis.
“Many people are ashamed to report or discover cases because of the stigma. Yet this is a disease with a clear cause and can be treated,” he said.
To reduce transmission, the Ministry of Health has prepared three principal strategies. First, strengthening surveillance through active case finding. Budi urged health facilities not to hesitate in reporting numerous cases.
He emphasised that regions or health centres that discover the most cases will actually receive awards, as this demonstrates effective early detection efforts.
“Find as many cases as possible so they can be treated quickly. The medication exists and is effective,” Budi stated.
Leprosy case detection will also be incorporated into the Free Health Check (CKG) programme. Through simple examination, healthcare workers can detect symptoms such as skin patches and sensory disturbances.
Additionally, specifically in eastern Indonesia, the government will increase genomic surveillance to detect the HLA-B13 gene, which can cause serious reactions to Dapsone medication, namely Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DHS).
The second strategy is to ensure patients complete their treatment course. Leprosy treatment typically lasts approximately six months using a combination of antibiotics such as rifampicin and dapsone.
The third strategy is to protect close contacts of patients through preventive medication in the form of Single Dose Rifampicin Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (SDR-PEP). This medication is administered as a single dose to people who live with or have close contact with the patient.
“Close contacts can number up to 20 people. We administer prophylaxis to all of them so transmission stops,” Budi explained.
Challenges in Leprosy Management
Although treatment and prevention are available, Budi believes the greatest challenge in managing leprosy stems from social stigma that often leads to patient exclusion.
“This is not divine punishment. This is a disease like any other that requires treatment. The sooner it is discovered, the sooner it is cured,” he said.
Meanwhile, Acting Director-General of Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, Dr Andi Saguni, stated that the World Leprosy Day commemoration serves as an opportunity to raise public awareness whilst eliminating discrimination against leprosy patients and survivors.
The global theme for World Leprosy Day 2026 is “Leprosy is Curable, The Real Challenge is Stigma”, whilst the national theme is “Leprosy: Early Detection, Complete Treatment, End Stigma.”
In the commemoration this year, the government is conducting various activities including Active Case Finding in priority areas, educational video competitions for the public, webinars for religious leaders and educators, and awards to health centres active in leprosy case detection. The government aims for these efforts to accelerate leprosy elimination in Indonesia whilst removing stigma against survivors.