Ending Discrimination Is as Important as Eliminating Leprosy: Yohei Sasakawa

* Medical and Human Rights Efforts Must Go Hand in Hand to Make Uttar Pradesh Leprosy-Free

TIL Desk Lucknow:👉Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chair of The Nippon Foundation and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, has emphasized that building a leprosy-free society requires not only eliminating the disease but also ending discrimination and social prejudice against people affected by it. He said that the dream of a leprosy-free society cannot be realized without effective measures to combat stigma and discrimination.

Addressing a conference held in Uttar Pradesh, Sasakawa welcomed Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Medical and Health Services Brajesh Pathak, along with other distinguished guests and participants. He said that he had been working for more than five decades to eliminate leprosy in different parts of the world. He believes that the real nature of problems and their solutions can be understood only through grassroots-level engagement.

Recalling his visit to a leprosy hospital in South Korea with his father, Ryoichi Sasakawa, he said that witnessing the suffering of patients inspired him to dedicate his life to addressing the challenges associated with the disease. Initially, his focus was on eliminating leprosy, but over time, he realized that even after being cured, affected individuals continued to face social discrimination and prejudice.

Sasakawa noted that sustained advocacy for the rights of people affected by leprosy led to the unanimous adoption of resolutions addressing discrimination by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2008 and the United Nations General Assembly in 2010.

Describing leprosy as a “silent disease,” he explained that its early symptoms are often not easily noticeable, causing many people to seek treatment at a late stage. Fear of social discrimination also prevents some individuals from disclosing their condition. He appreciated the role of ASHA community health workers in India and the efforts of APAL, a nationwide organization of people affected by leprosy, in promoting a discrimination-free society.

Emphasizing the importance of the participation of people affected by leprosy, including those who have been cured, Sasakawa said their experiences and aspirations should be reflected in the joint declaration emerging from the conference.

He expressed confidence that Uttar Pradesh could become a model for the rest of India and the world by advancing leprosy elimination alongside efforts to eradicate prejudice and discrimination.