Global appeal launched to combat leprosy stigma and promote early treatment

By Horace Palacio: In a concerted effort to address the ongoing challenges posed by leprosy, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, have released a joint statement. Highlighted on the WHO’s website, the statement underscores the necessity of tackling both the medical and social dimensions of leprosy, a disease that remains curable yet stigmatized.

Leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, affects skin, nerves, and eyes, leading to disabilities if untreated. Despite the availability of effective multidrug therapy, stigma around the disease continues to hinder treatment-seeking behavior, perpetuating disability risks and disease transmission.

Central to the WHO’s strategy against leprosy is the Global Leprosy Strategy 2021-2030, titled “Towards zero leprosy (Hansen’s disease),” which prioritizes human rights and stigma eradication as key pillars. This strategy aligns with the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative’s Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy, an annual campaign since 2006.

The 2024 Global Appeal, jointly launched by WHO and the Sasakawa Initiative, represents a significant collaboration in the fight against leprosy. It advocates for a well-informed society that encourages early treatment, rejects discrimination, and actively disseminates accurate information to combat misconceptions about leprosy.

This initiative coincides with the third year of the “Don’t Forget Leprosy” campaign and World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, observed on January 30. These efforts collectively aim to spotlight leprosy and other diseases primarily affecting impoverished communities.

On World Leprosy Day, the WHO reiterates its commitment to a person-centered approach in combating leprosy, focusing on stigma, discrimination, and the overall well-being of affected individuals. This approach is integral to realizing universal health coverage and health for all. The statement concludes with a rallying cry for unified action: “Unite. Act. Eliminate leprosy.”

 

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