<![CDATA[Stigma against former persons affected by leprosy remains a social barrier that limits acceptance, interaction, and participation in everyday life. Although medically cured, they continue to experience avoidance, rejection, and differential treatment that affect their social relations. This study explores experiences of public stigma and self-stigma, meanings attached to acceptance, rejection, and stigma, and patterns of social relations among former persons affected by leprosy at the Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) for Social Services for Former Persons Affected by Leprosy, Belidahan Sicanang, North Sumatra Province. A descriptive qualitative approach with an interpretive paradigm was used. Informants comprised 13 individuals: the UPTD head, a social worker, a physician, a health service manager, two social counselors, five former persons affected by leprosy, and two community members. Data were gathered through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, then analyzed through reduction, display, and conclusion drawing and verification, supported by NVivo 15. Findings show public stigma as avoidance, refusal of physical contact, differential treatment in economic interactions, and assumptions of contagion, shaping self-stigma such as shame, inferiority, fear, and self-restriction. Social relations form in layered patterns: solidaristic among fellow ex-patients, supportive with staff, varied within families, and community relations still influenced by prejudice.]]>
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