The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Elimination Program (NTLEP) has expressed concern over the continued spread of leprosy in Malawi, warning that the disease remains a persistent public health challenge, particularly in rural communities.

According to NTLEP National Coordinator Sunganani Manjomo, 127 new leprosy cases were recorded between January and June 2025, bringing the country’s cumulative total to 783 cases as of September 2025. In 2024 alone, 325 cases were reported nationwide.

"It is worrying that leprosy continues to affect our communities despite being a curable disease," said Manjomo. "Late diagnosis can result in severe complications, including nerve damage and permanent disability, and we are still seeing many patients presenting late."

Manjomo attributed the continued spread to delayed health-seeking behavior, limited public awareness, and the stigma still associated with the disease -all of which contribute to underreporting and late treatment.

"Many people, especially in rural areas, are reluctant to come forward due to fear of being shunned," she added. "We urge Malawians to seek treatment early and to speak out against stigma so we can collectively eliminate leprosy."

Health authorities have identified Lilongwe, Machinga, Nkhotakota, Nchinji, Balaka, and Kasungu as the most affected districts.

Meanwhile, public health advocates are calling for a more aggressive community-based approach. George Jobe, Chairperson of the Universal Health Coverage Coalition in Malawi, stressed the importance of decentralizing services and improving early detection.

"Expanding community outreach, increasing diagnostic capacity, and enhancing public education around leprosy and other neglected tropical diseases must be national priorities," Jobe said. "People need to understand that leprosy is not a curse -it is a disease that can be treated effectively."

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, primarily affecting the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and eyes. 

Though curable with multidrug therapy (MDT), delayed treatment can lead to permanent disability.