World Leprosy Day 2021: Events Around the World

The Leprosy Mission Trust India Hosts Film Screening

Dr. Mary Verghese, Executive Director, The Leprosy Mission Trust India (TLMTI) was interviewed by a news portal. Dr. Verghese spoke about the need to dispel wrong notions around leprosy that perpetuate stigma attached to this disease.

TLMTI hosted a virtual screening of, “Feeling Through,” an Oscar-nominated film on looking beyond one’s disability. Director Doug Roland and Subhojit Goswami of TLMTI discussed the importance of giving voice to people with disability in mainstream films. TLMTI also hosted a virtual event where artists and other eminent public figures endorsed the need to #BreakFreeLeprosy.

Lepra’s Radio Interview Series

Lepra hosted a radio series with author Victoria Hislop to mark World Leprosy Day. Jan 31 is also Lepra’s founding anniversary. Find more information here about Lepra’s additional World Leprosy Day events.

Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative Hosts The Global Appeal and Webinar Series

Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative, which is a strategic alliance between Sasakawa Health Foundation, The Nippon Foundation, and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, Yohei Sasakawa, organized The Global Appeal. The Global Appeal focuses on the right to work and was endorsed by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). For the first time, the Appeal was launched online. In the run-up to World Leprosy Day, the Initiative hosted a social media photo contest titled “Working with Dignity” in order to promote the idea that everyone has the right to work. Persons affected submitted photos of themselves and their jobs.The Initiative also hosted two webinars leading up to World Leprosy Day: Initiatives for Preservation of Leprosy History in Europe and Zero Leprosy for Whom in the Post-COVID World, which involved 22 organizations of persons affected.The Initiative, together with India’s Ministry of Health and WHO, jointly launched “Flipchart”, a user-friendly training material for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in India to assist in case detection at the grassroots level. Approximately 310,000 copies are being printed and distributed in six high-endemic states.

Vatican Cardinal Speaks Out Against Social Stigma for Leprosy Patients

In a message for World Leprosy Day on Jan. 31, the cardinal encouraged people to include those sick with leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, in their communities and relationships.

“Not everyone will have the skills or expertise to cure Hansen’s disease physically, but everyone is capable of promoting that culture of encounter which brings about healing and the mental well-being of those affected by this distressing illness,” he said.

UN Special Rapporteur Alice Cruz Launches Youtube Channel

UN Special Rapporteur Alice Cruz launched her official Youtube Channel with videos that advocate for the rights of persons affected by leprosy and their family members.
View World Leprosy Day 2020 messages:

• Ashim Chowla, India, CEO of LEPRA Society
• Jayashree Kunju, India, IBAS Global, AIFO, LEPRA Society
• Huma, India, LEPRA Society
• Mathias Duck, Paraguay, Chair of the ILEP’s panel of persons affected
• Faustino Pinto, Morhan/Brazil

Cruz also released a media statement on the WLD 2021.

WHO Goodwill Ambassador Yohei Sasakawa’s Message for World Leprosy Day

WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, Yohei Sasakawa, released a statement on World Leprosy Day 2021. He states: “Overcoming leprosy involves more than early diagnosis and prompt treatment. It also requires changing mindsets so that leprosy is no longer a source of shame or prejudice. We must remove all barriers in the way of those seeking medical care. We must eliminate the obstacles that prevent affected individuals and their families from living in dignity and enjoying all their basic human rights as full members of society.”