WORLD Leprosy day 2026

​​Welcome to World Leprosy Day

​​World Leprosy Day is observed on​ the last Sunday of January every year to raise the awareness of leprosy.

It's a time to recognise everyone worldwide who is affected by the disease, those who are supporting them and our goal for a leprosy-free world. 

This date was chosen by the French humanitarian, Raoul Follereau, as a tribute to the life of Mahatma Gandhi. He had great compassion for people with leprosy and was assassinated on 30 January 1948.

Mahatma Gandhi

Will you help raise awareness of leprosy on World Leprosy Day?

Will you tell your family, friends, neighbours and congregation about leprosy? Will you invite them to your coffee morning, church service, prayer group, party or bake sale to talk about leprosy? 

​Here's how we can help. Please see our toolkit

Together we can work towards a leprosy-free world