Congratulating Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina on Her Election Victory

Recently I sent a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, offering my congratulations on the victory of her ruling Awami League in the January 7 parliamentary elections and her subsequent reappointment to the post of the prime minister for a fourth consecutive term.

My sending of the letter was reported widely by major Bangladesh media outlets, including BSS (Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha), the national news agency, and UNB (United News of Bangladesh, an influential private sector news agency), as well as the Bangladesh Post and the Business Post, both popular English-language daily newspapers.

In the January 9 letter, I paid tribute to Prime Minister Hasina’s dedication to the further development of Bangladesh. I also expressed my gratitude to her for taking part in the second National Leprosy Conference in the capital Dhaka on November 12, 2023, despite her busy election campaign schedule.

I participated in the conference in my capacity as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and chairman of The Nippon Foundation. The event brought together some 500 people, including medical professionals, NGOs, and representatives of organizations of persons affected by leprosy.

To inaugurate the conference, Prime Minister Hasina declared: “We are firmly committed to erasing leprosy from the country by 2030,” calling on all concerned to increase funding and take other necessary measures to achieve the ambitious target.

I have traveled to more than 120 countries to urge heads of state to cooperate in leprosy elimination activities. To date, no other leader has set such a bold goal for leprosy.

Over the past few years, leprosy control programs in Bangladesh and many other countries were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in delays in diagnosis, treatment and wound care.

However, I noted in the letter, the hosting of the national leprosy conference in Bangladesh not only served as an opportunity to strengthen anti-leprosy campaign in Bangladesh, but also would reinforce leprosy programs worldwide, using Bangladesh as a successful model.

“I remain committed to providing comprehensive support for your country’s endeavors,” I added.