Leprosy Bulletin 127

 

MESSAGE FROM THE AMBASSADOR

Leprosy should not be a silent disease

From May 20 to 23, 2025, I attended the 78th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland. This year marks the 50th anniversary of support from The Nippon Foundation and the Sasakawa Health Foundation (TNF/SHF) for WHO’s leprosy elimination efforts. Read More

VIEWPOINT

How the rights of persons affected by leprosy have been brought to public attention in Nepal

In Nepal, approximately 200,000 individuals are currently affected by leprosy, with over 2,500 new cases reported annually. The Government of Nepal has committed to achieving a leprosy-free nation by 2030. Read more

VIEWPOINT

Participants reflect on Nepal Leprosy Conference, held in Kathmandu on May 8–9, 2025

“Attending the historic Nepal Leprosy Conference 2025 was both inspiring and deeply moving. Witnessing the unified commitment of national leaders, experts, the Prime Minister of Nepal,… Read more

REPORT

Young leaders affected by Hansen’s disease reach for their dreams with mentors’ support in Colombia

✎ Contributed by the Felehansen mentor team for the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative Young Scholar Program in Colombia, pilot year April 2024–March 2025 Read more

REPORT

Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative Young Scholar Program: Experiences and lessons learned in Indonesia

✎ Contributed by the PerMaTa South Sulawesi–YDTI mentor team for the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative Young Scholar Program in Indonesia, pilot year April 2024–March 2025 Read more

AMBASSADOR’S JOURNAL

Goodwill Ambassador Sasakawa attends conference in Nepal and World Health Assembly in Switzerland

In May, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa participated in the Nepal Leprosy Conference 2025 held in Kathmandu (May 8–9) and met with health ministers from various countries and senior WHO officials during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland (May 19–27). Read more

INITIATIVE NEWS

Representatives from Nepal, Indonesia, and Bangladesh speak at academic conference

The Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative recently supported representatives of organizations of persons affected by leprosy from Nepal, Indonesia, and Bangladesh as well as representatives of their local NGO partners to speak at the 13th ISTR Asia-Pacific Regional Conference held on the University of the Philippines campus in Cebu. Read more