Elimination of Leprosy

【The Nippon Foundation’s Projects】Elimination of Leprosy

The worldwide movement to eliminate leprosy has been enjoying considerable success since MDT was endorsed by the WHO in 1981. The Nippon Foundation has been instrumental in this success, to the point that in 2001 WHO asked Yohei Sasakawa, our chairman, to be its Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination.

Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases known to humankind. Once dreaded as contagious, disfiguring and without cure, today it is easily treated with antibiotics.

Yet for many people diagnosed with the disease, those who have been cured, and even family members, the outdated image of leprosy that persists in the public mind means they continue to face rejection and social exclusion.

Medical dimension

What is leprosy?
The nature of the disease
Development of an effective cure
Eliminating leprosy as a public health problem
Sustaining political commitment
The tasks ahead
Research priorities
Role of persons affected by leprosy

Social dimension

The human rights dimension
Creating an inclusive society
Achieving a UN resolution
Turning words into deeds
The road to a UN resolution
Grassroots empowerment and networking
The Global Appeal
leprosy FAQ

Brochure: Leprosy in Our Time (PDF / 1.8MB)