“Don't Forget Leprosy” Campaign Marks 20th Anniversary as a Leprosy Elimination Ambassador (2)

In a recent interview with the WHO Goodwill Ambassador’s Leprosy Bulletin, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus observes: “Leprosy control is typically a marathon program; not a sprint. By nature, it tends to slip down the list of priorities when a country is hit by an acute, urgent event like a pandemic, natural disaster, or other emergency.”

“In the context of a temporary setback in leprosy control because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Sasakawa’s role is as important as ever in making sure that leprosy is not forgotten,” he said, adding: “It is also important that he maintains contact with actors in the field－including WHO, national leprosy programs, partners, and affected communities－and that he stays prepared to provide support for leprosy activities when they resume, expand, and ultimately return to their full swing.”

The 10-month “Don’t forget leprosy” campaign includes a series of six webinars; media briefings held online; TV and radio spots; videos featuring the WHO Goodwill Ambassador’s activities and messages; and the annual Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy scheduled for the end of January 2022.　

For the duration of the campaign, I would also like to share some thoughts about my role and how I have approached it in the Leprosy Bulletin (formerly known as the WHO Goodwill Ambassador’s Newsletter), which I publish every two months to share information about my activities and provide a platform for individuals, organizations and national programs to voice their opinions and encourage others through their efforts.

In my keynote speech for the first webinar of the “Don’t forget leprosy” campaign on August 4, I noted that for more than 18 months, the novel coronavirus pandemic “has changed the way we live our lives. It has also affected leprosy work. In many countries, activities such as case finding, diagnosis, and rehabilitation have been cut back or even discontinued.”

“At the local level, I hear that access to health services has become more difficult. Also, that people are facing renewed discrimination,” I said, adding: “That’s why we are starting this campaign: to send a powerful appeal to the world: “Don’t forget leprosy.”

I am ready to take the lead in reaching out to stakeholders, including policymakers, to ensure that leprosy is not forgotten. We must not allow leprosy to be left behind, even amid the pandemic.

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A transcript of my keynote speech for the first webinar of the “Don’t forget leprosy” is available here.

To see the latest issue of the Leprosy Bulletin, and back issues, visit here.