When The Leprosy Mission New Zealand was established in 1912, there was no cure for leprosy.  Natural remedies were used to alleviate some of the discomfort, but it wasn't until 1982 that a reliable cure became widely available. 

A combination of three separate drugs (Dapsone, Clofazimine and Rifampicin) known as Multi-Drug Therapy or MDT, kills the bacteria that cause leprosy and have in most cases, manageable side effects.

Treatment takes between 6 months and 12 months, and the cure success rate is approximately 99%.  Early diagnosis, care and cure are vital in reducing permanent disability and so awareness and stigma reduction are also vital to improving the health of those who are at risk.

Since 1995, WHO has supplied MDT free of charge to leprosy patients in all endemic countries.

Increasingly it has become obvious that to cure the causes and consequences of leprosy a lot more than the physical disease needs to be addressed.  The stigma and discrimination attached to leprosy can be just as debilitating as the disease itself.  IDEA (International Association for Integration Dignity and Economic Advancement) is one of our main partners and has branches all over the world. IDEA's focus ranges from empowerment through to physiological counselling services.

For more WHO Leprosy information follow this link:  WHO leprosy info

For more information on IDEA follow this link: IDEA Dignity info