From March 12 to 14, 2025, the National High-Level Conference on Hansen’s disease in Brazil was held at the Windsor Oceânico Hotel in Rio de Janeiro. The conference brought together up to 350 participants.
The conference opened with remarks by Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, who noted that Brazil has made significant progress under strong political leadership—including advances in compensation and global strategies—despite challenges in some regions. He emphasized, however, that new and undetected cases, disabilities, and persistent stigma remain, making continued national unity and commitment essential.
This was followed by statements from Brazil’s Minister of Health, Alexandre Rocha Santos Padilha, and the Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Macaé Evaristo. In the keynote address, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), reflected on the place of leprosy in the 21st century and underscored the importance of sustained global commitment moving forward.
The second day focused on practical and strategic discussions. Participants reviewed the global status of leprosy, future outlooks, and priority actions for elimination, emphasizing the need for strong policy and political commitment. Discussions also highlighted the roles of local governments and legislatures, as well as the importance of financing, legal frameworks, and approaches grounded in human rights and social justice.
On the final day, social inclusion and the elimination of discrimination were the main focus. Participants discussed links with disability policies, the realities of stigma, and ways to support the social participation of persons affected by leprosy. Practical measures for future action were also highlighted, including new technologies such as rapid diagnostics and chemoprophylaxis, as well as the need for capacity building and education. In his closing remarks, Mr. Sasakawa emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and sustained action.
In parallel with the conference, awareness-raising activities were carried out by Miss Supranational 2025, Ms. Eduarda Braum of Brazil. On March 13, she visited Tavares de Macedo State Hospital, where she interacted with patients and healthcare workers. On March 14, she delivered a speech during the session on “Social Inclusion and the Elimination of Discrimination,” sharing a message in support of a society free from discrimination. She also contributed to raising awareness through a meeting with the Minister of Health and outreach on social media.
The conference provided an important opportunity to strengthen international collaboration toward the elimination of leprosy in Brazil and to reaffirm the importance of comprehensive approaches that integrate healthcare, policy, and human rights. The conference was held based on the agreement reached during the meeting between President Lula and Mr. Sasakawa in March 2025.
