This year marks the 50th anniversary of cooperation between the World Health Organization (WHO) and The Nippon Foundation/Sasakawa Health Foundation (TNF/SHF). During this period, TNF/SHF has contributed more than 200 million US dollars, a modest amount in comparison to the contributions of member states and other organizations. More than the amount of support, it is the continuity of cooperation between our organizations that has facilitated progress toward a leprosy-free world.

For example, for five years, 1995–1999, TNF’s contribution of 50 million US dollars enabled the distribution of multidrug therapy (MDT) free of charge. As a result, more than 10 million patients received treatment, and the goal of eliminating leprosy as a public health problem at the global level by 2000 was reached. TNF then provided additional support as part of WHO’s “final push” strategy to assist the 12 countries that had yet to achieve elimination at the national level. With the exception of Brazil, all were successful.

In the 2000s, my efforts to address leprosy as a human rights issue led to the adoption of a resolution along with a set of principles and guidelines by 192 member states at the United Nations General Assembly in 2010. Elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members has since had a place in WHO’s regularly updated Global Leprosy Strategy.

Despite significant progress, leprosy remains a problem. To achieve zero leprosy, our organizations must work together even more closely. Amid the unprecedented funding challenges facing WHO and other international organizations, I am convinced that the WHO–TNF/SHF partnership can serve as a model for the future.