Global Leprosy Strategy 2016–2020. Accelerating towards a leprosy-free world

The Global Leprosy Strategy 2016–2020 aims at early detection of leprosy disease and prompt treatment to prevent disability and reduce transmission of infection in the community. The proportion of G2D cases among newly diagnosed patients and the G2D rate in a population indicate the efficiency of early detection of leprosy. They also indicate indirectly the awareness levels of early signs of leprosy, access to leprosy services and skills of health-care staff in diagnosing leprosy. The strategy is designed to achieve a long-term goal of a ‘leprosy-free world”, which refers to a situation wherein the community is free of morbidity, disabilities and social consequences due to leprosy.