Dermatologists, under the umbrella of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists (NAD), have warned of a severe shortage of multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy in Nigeria as the country marks World Leprosy Day 2026.
The President of NAD, Prof. Dasetima Altraide, raised the concern in a statement made available to journalists on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, the shortage has persisted for more than two years, leaving leprosy patients in several states without access to life-saving medication.
“Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is fully curable with the World Health Organisation-recommended multidrug therapy. However, regulatory and administrative delays have stalled the clearance and distribution of donated drugs,” Altraide said.
He explained that the absence of required Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis certificates had prevented the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) from conducting quality checks, thereby denying patients access to treatment.
“Where treatment is unavailable, cure is impossible,” he stated.
Altraide warned that untreated leprosy could result in nerve damage, deformities and continued transmission of the disease within affected communities.
He noted that the 2026 World Leprosy Day theme, ‘Leprosy is curable, but the real challenge is stigma’, underscores the importance of access to treatment in reducing discrimination against patients.
The NAD president called for urgent intervention and stronger inter-agency collaboration to ensure the immediate release of MDT supplies and restore nationwide access, warning that further disruptions could undermine leprosy control efforts.
Citing findings from a 17-year study conducted in Lagos, Altraide said access to essential medicines is not only a public health necessity but also a human rights issue and a national responsibility.
