⇦Back to “Don’t Forget Leprosy” Webinar Schedule

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many initiatives against leprosy have had to be scaled back or suspended as resources are directed toward the fight against COVID-19. To help ensure that leprosy is not forgotten amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative is launching a new awareness-raising campaign, “Don’t Forget Leprosy”.

The campaign will feature a total of six webinars, online media briefings, TV and radio spots, social media messaging and videos featuring WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa. It will also incorporate other awareness-raising activities including the annual Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy issued at the end of January.

The “Don’t Forget Leprosy” campaign officially starts on Aug. 4 with the first webinar. Guests include Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of the WHO’s South-East Asia Region and Mr. Vagavathali Narsappa, President of India’s Association of People Affected by Leprosy. The webinar will introduce the aims of the “Don’t Forget Leprosy” campaign and will also feature the Goodwill Ambassador and other webinar participants discussing what the priorities in leprosy should be amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. To make the most use of the limited time, we would like to pick up some topics to discuss from the questions sent to us using the questionnaire here.

Date：August 4th, 2021  19:00-20:10 JST（+9）

Theme：Introducing the “Don’t Forget Leprosy” Campaign

Language : English（simultaneous interpretation available in Bahasa, Bengali, French, Hindi and Portuguese）

Program：

1. Introduction to “Don’t Forget Leprosy” campaign
   Prof. Takahiro Nanri, Executive Director, Sasakawa Health Foundation
2. WHO Goodwill Ambassador’s 20th Anniversary Video
   “Reflections on My Mission to Eliminate Leprosy”
3. Message from Special Guest
   Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO Regional Office for Southeast Asia
4. Message from Partner
   Mr. Vagavathali Narsappa, President, Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL), India
5. Keynote Speech
   Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador of Leprosy Elimination
6. Q & A session with Goodwill Ambassador