Stakeholders consult on Leprosy Case-Based Management System

Kathmandu, Bagmati Province – On 11 June 2026, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) under Ministry of Health and Food Safety, and WHO Country Office for Nepal, with support from the Sasakawa Health Foundation, convened a stakeholder orientation and consultation on strengthening Leprosy surveillance through implementation of the DHIS2-based Leprosy Case-Based Management System. The event brought together over 40 participants, including provincial and district leprosy focal persons, consultant dermatologists, Integrated Health Management Information System officials, programme partners and people affected by leprosy. Participants reviewed the system’s design, discussed key data elements and indicators and built a consensus on its implementation approach, ensuring that the system is customized to meet the needs of Nepal’s leprosy program. Unlike the current paper-based system, which supports only aggregate reporting, the proposed digital platform developed by WHO’s Global Leprosy Programme, is designed to enable real-time case reporting and individual case tracking, continuity of care and treatment outcome monitoring, contact tracing, and management of Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. Following a hands-on demonstration, participants provided feedback to help ensure the system remains practical, sustainable and aligned with national programme needs. Department of Health Services, under the MoHFS, also reaffirmed the commitment to digitalizing leprosy case-based reporting in Nepal to strengthen surveillance and improve patient management. WHO will continue to provide technical support to finalize and rollout of the system in Nepal.