2000s:
The quest for a leprosy vaccine continues. Although leprosy is completely curable, there are still over 266,000 new cases of leprosy diagnosed per year. The challenges of treating and rehabilitating those affected by leprosy while breaking down the stigma of the disease remain.
1990s:
As more people are released from treatment "Care after Cure", for people with lasting disabilities becomes increasingly important in social, economic and physical rehabilitation.
 1981:
WHO recommends a new combination drug treatment for leprosy, multidrug therapy, to overcome dapsone resistance. People cured in as little as six months.
The treatment breakthrough
1970s:
Dramatic increase in The Leprosy Mission's outpatient work as programmes outreach to treat people in their own homes through the SET programmes (Survey, Education and Treatment).
1965:
The Mission changes its name to The Leprosy Mission to avoid using the negative connotations of the word "leper".
1960s:
Leprologists work to discover new drugs effective against leprosy as many patients are discovered to have dapsone resistant leprosy.
1950s:
The Mission's work extends into Africa, as the dapsone research extends.
 1946:
Dr Paul Brand and colleagues at Karigiri, South India, pioneer life-changing reconstructive surgery to correct leprosy related disabilities
1940s:
The first effective cure for leprosy, dapsone, is introduced. Over the next 15 years millions of patients are successfully treated.
Cure era
1917-1937:
 Over the next 20 years people with leprosy are offered hope for the first time as treatment with Chaulmoogra oil becomes widespread. Injections are painful, and only a few are cured, but the era of cure sees the outlawing of the word "asylum", and the introduction of its replacement "hospital". First experiment in treatment
First experiment in treatment
1917:
The Mission has extended its work throughout India and the Far East, and is working in 87 programmes in 12 countries, with support auxiliaries in 8 countries. First experiments with treatment.Compassion and care
Compassion and Care
 1884:
Mary Reed, the Mission's first missionary, becomes Superintendent of Chandag. 1874-1893: The Bailey's travel extensively to see the need of people affected by leprosy and to encourage support work.
1874-1893:
The Bailey's travel extensively to see the need of people affected by leprosy and to encourage support work.
1874:
'The Mission to Lepers' is born when friends of Wellesley and Alice Bailey promise to raise £30 a year to help leprosy sufferers in India. In the first year £600 is raised.
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