Indonesia ranks third globally for the highest number of leprosy cases, after India and Brazil. However, among the public, leprosy is often regarded as an ancient disease, causing its symptoms to be overlooked. Social stigma surrounding leprosy discourages patients from disclosing their condition, leading to delays in seeking treatment. Data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health in 2023 show that nearly 15,000 new leprosy cases were identified. In Indonesia, the prevalence of leprosy stands at 0.63 cases per 10,000 population, placing the country among those with the highest leprosy burdens worldwide.
Professor Hardyanto Soebono from the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM), explained that leprosy is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae.
Leprosy is a chronic condition that, if left untreated in its early stages, can result in permanent disability at an advanced stage. The prevalence of leprosy remains high in several regions, including East Java, South Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua.
According to Professor Soebono, although the Special Region of Yogyakarta has one of the lowest prevalence rates, cases are still being reported.
“Every month, I receive new patients, which means transmission is still occurring in the community,” he said on Monday (Jan. 12) at the UGM campus.
According to Professor Soebono, several measures are essential to reduce disease transmission in the community, including continuous public education, particularly in high-index areas. Early detection of all diseases is also crucial so treatment can begin promptly.
In addition, the availability of medication must be ensured and evenly distributed across regions. Nevertheless, the physician urged the public to eliminate social stigma, which remains a major barrier to patients seeking treatment.
Professor Soebono stated that leprosy is completely curable if it has not yet caused permanent disability. Because its appearance can resemble other skin conditions, the primary symptom is numbness of the skin.
He illustrated one of the simplest early detection methods using twisted cotton.
“The easiest test is to use twisted cotton and touch the affected patch and the surrounding area to check whether sensation is present. If there is numbness, it may indicate leprosy,” he explained.
He further emphasized that the public should not be afraid of leprosy, as it is among the least contagious infectious diseases. People are encouraged to be alert to any skin abnormalities and seek medical consultation promptly.
“The government must pay greater attention to eradicating leprosy, including reinstating supervisory officers to conduct patient examinations,” he concluded.
Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Salma
Illustration: Freepik