On January 30, 2025, Bhubaneswar, capital of India’s Odisha state, hosts the launch of Global Appeal 2025 to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy.

This is the 20^th Global Appeal since the first was launched in 2006, also in India. This year’s Appeal is supported by the Ministries of Health of Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative (SLI) priority countries for leprosy, and the event is co-organized by the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha, the World Health Organization and SLI.

India has the highest number of leprosy cases in the world, and Odisha is at the forefront. From this high-burden region, Global Appeal 2025 is being launched together with persons affected by leprosy and those working against the disease, and calls for a society where everyone has access to health and medical services without fear of discrimination, and where no one is left behind.

Program

• Opening Performance

• Welcome Address by Ms. Jayanti Pradhan, a person affected by leprosy from Odisha

• Video Message from Ms. Saima Wazed, World Health Organization Regional Director for South-East Asia

• Message from Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare (to be confirmed)

• Video Message from Dr. Beatriz Miranda-Galarza, UN Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members

• Video Messages from Health Ministers of Leprosy-Endemic Countries

• Message from Dr. Nilakantha Mishra, Director of Public Health of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Odisha

• Presentation on the Leprosy Situation in Odisha by Dr. Kshetra Mohan Kand, Additional Director Health (Leprosy)

• Presentation on the Leprosy Situation in Odisha by Dr. Kshetra Mohan Kand, Additional Director Health (Leprosy)

• Remarks by Ms. Maya Ranavare, a person affected by leprosy from Maharashtra

• Felicitation of Champions of Leprosy in Odisha (Persons Affected by Leprosy)

• Remarks by Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and Chairman of The Nippon Foundation

• Remarks by Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Minister of Health & Family Welfare of Odisha

• Remarks by Shri. Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha

• Photo Session

• Closing Remarks by Dr. Takahiro Nanri, President of Sasakawa Health Foundation and Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative