Webinar: Introducing the “Don’t Forget Leprosy” Campaign Keynote Speech

Hello, everyone. My name is Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and Chairman of The Nippon Foundation.

More than 18 months have passed since the coronavirus pandemic began. It 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. We must not allow leprosy to be left behind, even amid the pandemic.

That’s why we are starting this campaign: to send a powerful appeal to the world: “Don’t forget leprosy.” I became an ambassador for leprosy elimination in 2001. In the 20 years since I have made over 200 trips to some 100 countries to see the situation for myself. As a result, I have come to think of leprosy work in terms of a motorcycle. The front wheel stands for efforts to eliminate the disease, the rear wheel stands for initiatives to end discrimination. Unless both wheels turn together, we will not make progress.

In my experience, solutions are found in the field, alongside problems. That’s why I want this campaign to begin from where you are. Please spread the message “Don’t Forget Leprosy.” Let’s aim to reach people around the world over the course of this ten-month campaign.

We have made great progress against leprosy in the last half century.　We must not see that progress reversed by the pandemic.　Even as the world tackles this new disease called COVID-19, we must also strengthen our efforts against an old enemy, leprosy. Together, we can bring our long fight to a conclusion.

All of you taking part in this webinar are part of the solution. Let’s work together to achieve it. Thank you – and “Don’t Forget Leprosy”.