In 2006, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa, with the support of The Nippon Foundation, launched the first Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy from Delhi, India. Since then a new Global Appeal has been issued each year, always with a launch event held around the time of World Leprosy Day in January. This year’s event, co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative, was held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Jan. 30, the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death and the date on which India observes Anti-Leprosy Day.
Around 100 persons affected by leprosy from states around the country joined Odisha government representatives and other experts and advocates to highlight ongoing leprosy-related stigma and discrimination and to witness the reading of the appeal. Invited dignitaries unable to attend, including India’s Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, contributed written or recorded messages. The Global Appeal 2025 statement, which was read aloud from the stage during the event, has been endorsed by the health ministries of 55 countries.
According to statistics presented by Dr. Kshetra Mohan Kand, Odisha’s Additional Director of Health (Leprosy), the prevalence rate of leprosy in the state is at 1.48 per 10,000 population, which is above the prevalence rate at the national level (0.60 per 10,000 population) and above the “elimination” target (less than 1 per 10,000 population). Launching the Global Appeal from Odisha calls attention to a front line in the battle against leprosy globally.
Ms. Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, summarized the global challenge presented by leprosy in a video message: “While we have made significant progress over the last four decades in tackling the disease, it continues to affect about 200,000 people every year. More than 95% of them are concentrated in 23 countries. The transmission continues at community level, as evidenced by children affected by the disease.”
Dr. Beatriz Miranda-Galarza, UN Special Rapporteur on discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, warned that “logistical hurdles, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and inconsistent funding” are delaying the delivery of essential medicines, including multidrug therapy (MDT), which is supposed to be available to all patients free of charge. Barriers to timely access “have dire consequences for persons affected by leprosy and their families, exacerbating health inequalities and infringing upon their basic human rights.”
Maya Ranavare, a person affected by leprosy from the western state of Maharashtra, noted that her parents were also affected by the disease, and spoke with the authority of personal experience: “Leprosy stigma affects every facet of life – social status, employment opportunities, education, marriage, and even access to basic amenities.” She identified “lack of awareness about [the importance of] early detection and treatment” as “one of the biggest hurdles we face.” She called for involving “local leaders, traditional healers, and former patients” in “spreading the message that leprosy is treatable and not a curse or a punishment” so that stigma may be reduced and “early health-seeking behavior” encouraged.
The message contributed by India’s Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mr. Jagat Prakash Nadda, read aloud at the event, similarly highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and treatment: “If leprosy is treated early, the person can lead a normal healthy life. Delayed treatment may lead to disabilities.” He also recognized that “leprosy is not just a health issue; it is also a social issue. Stigma and discrimination hinder progress toward eliminating the disease and violate the rights of those affected.”
Dr. Nilakantha Mishra, Odisha’s Director of Public Health, identified stigma and discrimination as “the two things that hinder the early diagnosis and treatment of the patient.” He explained that fear of stigma and discrimination drives people suffering from the disease to “try to hide it away.” Removing stigma and stopping discrimination are necessary conditions for individuals to “clearly come out.”
As part of his presentation, Dr. Kshetra Mohan Kand, Odisha’s Additional Director of Health (Leprosy), shared information about actions that the state has taken to enhance leprosy control and services. Declaring leprosy a “reportable disease” has obligated private practitioners to refer cases to the local Additional District Public Health Officer (ADPHO). ADPHOs manage leprosy control activities in their district, and ensure that every diagnosed patient receives a full course of MDT. Designating Mondays as “Leprosy Day” has enabled patients to plan on receiving all leprosy-related health services on one consistent day of the week.
Mr. Mukesh Mahaling, Odisha’s Cabinet Minister of Health & Family Welfare, opened with thanks to the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative and affirmed, “We are ready here” to work toward the eradication of leprosy. The Minister recognized the efforts of local participants and encouraged them to continue fighting stigma and discrimination.
In recognition of the effectiveness of “Sapna,” the fictional 12-year-old girl developed by The Leprosy Mission Trust India as a mascot for leprosy awareness campaigns, three teenage girls were selected to read this year’s Global Appeal from the stage. The name “Sapna” means “dream” in Hindi, and it is used as part of the catchphrase Kyunki Sapna hai kusht mukt Bharat ka (Because the dream is of leprosy-free India). The Sapna mascot has been used in India’s National Leprosy Eradication Programme’s awareness campaigns since 2018.
WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa lauded the commitment of India’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to achieve the ambitious goal of a leprosy-free world by 2030. “If we join hands and combine our efforts, the vision of a leprosy-free world is not an impossible dream. Together we can make it possible.”
In his closing remarks for the event, Dr. Takahiro Nanri, President of the Sasakawa Health Foundation, noted that in the 20-year history of the Global Appeal, this year marked the first time that the launch event was held in a highly endemic area. This choice of location facilitated the participation of a larger number of persons affected by leprosy than in the past. After acknowledging the unfortunate reality of ongoing stigma and discrimination, he ended his remarks with a pledge on behalf of the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative: “We will continue to issue the Global Appeal until we have realized our vision of a world where no one suffers from leprosy – a world where a Global Appeal is no longer needed.”
Text of the Global Appeal 2025 to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy
Leprosy, once feared as an incurable disease, is now treatable with modern medicine. When diagnosed and treated early, it is not disabling.
Also known as Hansen’s disease, leprosy is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae and mainly affects the skin and peripheral nerves.
Despite advances in treatment, many people with leprosy still face stigma and discrimination due to outdated stereotypes and myths. This fear of rejection often prevents people from seeking diagnosis and treatment, leaving many cases undetected.
As Ministries of Health in leprosy priority countries, we recognize that leprosy is not just a health issue—it is also a social issue. Stigma and discrimination hinder progress toward eliminating the disease and violate the rights of those affected.
We are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to healthcare services without fear of discrimination and are working toward the global goal of zero leprosy by 2030.
Together, let us raise awareness, dispel misconceptions and ensure that no one affected by leprosy is left behind.
Video recordings from Global Appeal 2025
https://gasasakawa.org/globalappeal2025/
