MESSAGE FROM THE AMBASSADOR
The last mile starts now
At this year’s World Health Assembly, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in his opening address on May 19: “I would also like to recognize the leadership of Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, who is celebrating 25 years as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination… Read More
INTERVIEW
Reflections on 25 years of taking action as the WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination
This year is the 25th anniversary of Yohei Sasakawa’s appointment as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination. To mark the anniversary, Dr. Takahiro Nanri, President of the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative, interviewed Mr. Sasakawa in Tokyo on May 28, 2026. Read more
VIEWPOINT
Advocacy and strategic litigation for eliminating discrimination in law: Lessons from India
For decades, laws in India described leprosy as an “incurable” and “virulent” disease. These fear-laden words and discriminatory provisions institutionalized discrimination by permitting leprosy to be used as a ground for divorce, restricting participation in public life, … Read more
AMBASSADOR’S JOURNAL
Goodwill Ambassador visits Indonesia and attends 79th World Health Assembly
On April 29, 2026, WHO Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa visited Indonesia as part of the preparation process for the country’s first national conference on leprosy. Read more
REPORT
Africa Leprosy Conference: Working-level meeting on leprosy elimination
The WHO African Region has made progress in eliminating leprosy (Hansen’s disease) as a public health problem in almost all member states. However, the Region still has pockets of on-going transmission and continues to carry a significant burden of the disease. Read more
REPORT
High-Level National Conference on Hansen’s Disease in Brazil
A three-day high-level national conference on the theme of intensifying efforts to rid Brazil of Hansen’s disease took place in Rio de Janeiro, March 12–14, 2026. Coorganized by the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative, … Read more
OBITUARY
In memory of Indonesian advocate Rahmawati
With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Rahmawati on March 7, 2026, at the age of 36. She has been laid to rest at Kalelempae Public Cemetery, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Read more
