Kiribati's Ministry of Health is encouraging people with leprosy to come forward so they can be treated.
Last year, the Ministry recorded 105 people with leprosy and this year another 137 cases have been identified, most of whom are children.
The National Leprosy Programme Manager, Erei Bonebati Rimon, told local media, leprosy remains a major challenge.
He says people have a negative perception of leprosy with many too scared to inform doctors but the disease can be treated with the right medication.
