The International Leprosy Associatien is an association of leprologists throughout the world. The members of the Association meet once in five year to discuss about the latest development in leprosy.

At the XIth Congress held in Mexico in 1978, the Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh (Indian Leprosy Association), with the approval of the Government of India, had extended an invitation to the  International Leprosy  Association  to  hold  its next Congress in New Delhi, India. The members of the International Leprosy Association unanimously accepted the invitation.

This will be the first time many of our young leprologists will be attending the International Leprosy Congress in large numbers. Over 1200 delegates from 120 countries are likely to participate in the Congress.

The activities of the International Leprosy Association  include :

1. Publication of International Journal of  Leprosy quarterly.

2. Giving suggestions to various governments on their leprosy control programmes.

3. The   International   Leprosy   Association, being on various committees of the WHO and allied health agencies,  advises  these agencies  on leprosy control programmes.

4. It is also responsible for holding the International Leprosy Congress once in five years.

The XIIth International Leprosy Congress from 20th to 25th February, 1984 is being organised  under  the  auspices of the HKNS and the Government of India. Most of the eminent leprologists in the world are attending this Congress. A special feature of this Congress is the introduction of teaching and training sessions through slide, tape and video presentations. Eight sessions dealing with all aspects of leprosy are being presented to young leprologists.

Armauer Hansen, a Norwegian leprologist was the physician who identified the leprosy bacilli. The causation of the disease was not known until he identified the organism under the microscope. Leprosy is also known  as Hansen's Disease.

The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is happy to issue a special stamp on this occasion.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India