February 28th, 1873, was the day Dr. Gerhard Armauer Hansen first wrote in his notebook that he had observed rod-shaped bacteria in samples from patients affected by leprosy. The bacillus in question was later given the name Mycobacterium leprae—leprosy’s causative agent. The discovery is a watershed moment in the history of leprosy and global health—a scientific breakthrough that had enormous consequences.
The anniversary of Hansen’s discovery will not be used to glorify the past. Rather, we take this opportunity to critically assess past achievements, take stock of the situation today, and address the future steps needed to rid the world of this ancient, misunderstood, and treatable disease.
What has happened since the discovery of M. leprae in Bergen 150 years ago, what is happening now, and what does the future hold? How is this history preserved, how it is communicated, and why is the history of leprosy important to its future?
Date: February 28, 2023 (This webcast has ended)
Time: 21:00-22:15 (JST), 13:00-14:15 (CET), 12:00-13:15 (UTC)
Length: 75 min.
Language: English
Organizers: University of Bergen, Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative
Moderator: Prof. Magnus Vollset, Associate Professor, History of medicine, History of science, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
Program:
- Welcome remarks
Prof. Margareth Hagen, Rector, University of Bergen - Messages from special guests
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization
Dr. Lia Tadesse, Minister of Health, Ethiopia - The deep history of leprosy in Norway – social and cultural history
Ms. Grete Eilertsen, Curator, Leprosy Museum, Bergen - Feidie’s lamentation (song)
Mr. Lars Foss Sørhus, Actor, Bergen City Museum - Discovery: Context and consequences
Prof. Lorentz Irgens, Emeritus professor, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen - Hansen’s trial: Legal perspectives
Prof. Henriette Sinding Aasen, Professor, Faculty of law, University of Bergen - Preservation of material history
Ms. Stine Dornfest, Conservator, Bergen University Museum - Bergen Leprosy Archives
Mr. Yngve Nedrebø, State Archivist, Bergen State Archives
Ms. Gina Dahl, Librarian, Bergen University Library - Testimonies
Mr. Kofi Nyarko, President, IDEA Ghana
Ms. Paula Brandão, Coordinator, Morhan Research Center - The decendants today
Mr. Abbi Patrix, Storyteller and Armauer Hansen’s great grandson - Message from WHO Goodwill Ambassador
Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination/ Chairman, The Nippon Foundation - Armauer Hansen today & Welcome to the June conference
Prof. Gottfried Greve, Vice-Rector, University of Bergen
Prof. Per Sigvald Bekke, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen
