The Kwara State Government has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to eliminate leprosy and end the stigma associated with the disease, as the state joined the global community to mark World Leprosy Day 2026.
The call was made on Monday during a sensitisation programme held at the Nigerian Correctional Service, Oke-Kura, Ilorin.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Taoheed Abdullahi, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to achieving the “Leprosy Zero by 2030” target. He said the administration is prioritising early detection, noting that prompt diagnosis remains the most effective way to prevent permanent disability.
According to Abdullahi, this year’s theme, “Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma,” underscores the major obstacle to treatment, as fear and discrimination continue to force many patients into silence. He added that multi-drug therapy for leprosy is provided free of charge at government health facilities.
He disclosed that as part of its 2026 interventions, the Ministry of Health has trained over 500 primary healthcare workers across the state’s 16 local government areas on early diagnosis, integrated leprosy services into routine community health outreaches, and distributed educational materials in local languages to dispel myths surrounding the disease.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Health, Dr Oluwatosin Fakayode, said the health reforms under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are designed to ensure that no group, including inmates and residents of hard-to-reach communities, is excluded from healthcare services. He noted that additional awareness campaigns and active case searches would continue in Kaiama and the Borstal Training Institution in Ganmo.
Fakayode explained that leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, remains a public health concern despite being completely curable. He added that more than 200,000 new cases are recorded globally each year, with Africa accounting for a significant share.
“These figures show that leprosy thrives in silence, driven by fear, misinformation and stigma, which rob individuals and communities of dignity and productivity,” he said.
Abdullahi attributed recent progress in reducing disability among newly detected cases to sustained government support and collaboration with the National Leprosy and TB Control Programme. He commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his commitment to universal health coverage and the elimination of leprosy and other neglected tropical diseases.
Earlier, the Officer-in-Charge of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Oke-Kura, Ilorin, Assistant Comptroller of Corrections, Omole Olumuyiwa, represented by Chief Superintendent of Corrections, Ariyibi Surajudeen, thanked the state government for extending free medical screening, treatment and sensitisation to inmates.
