9 April 2025 · Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Call for submissions: Due 30 June 2025
Call for submissions on the draft of general comment No. 27 on children’s right to access to justice and to an effective remedy
7 April 2025 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
The Patient’s Charter for Leprosy Care: Patient Rights and Responsibilities
A vital document designed to empower individuals affected by leprosy by clearly outlining their rights and responsibilities within the healthcare system. It ensures that care is delivered with transparency, accountability, and respect, fostering an environment where patients receive the dignity and quality treatment they deserve.
The Patient’s Charter for Leprosy Care: Patient Rights and Responsibilities
The Patient’s Charter for Leprosy Care is a vital document designed to empower individuals affected by leprosy by clearly outlining their rights and responsibilities within the healthcare system. It ensures that care is delivered with transparency, accountability, and respect, fostering an environment where patients receive the dignity and quality treatment they deserve.
This Charter provides a framework for equitable access to high-quality healthcare, enabling informed decision-making and active participation in treatment and recovery. It serves as a guide for patients to navigate the healthcare system while also emphasizing their role in maintaining their health and well-being.
At its core, this document establishes a foundation for collaboration between patients and healthcare providers, built on mutual respect, trust, and shared responsibility. By recognizing both patient rights and responsibilities, the Charter promotes fairness and ensures that healthcare remains person-centered.
The rights outlined in this Charter affirm every patient’s access to quality care, respectful treatment, and clear medical information. Patients should be well-informed about their condition, treatment options, and available support. At the same time, the Charter highlights patient responsibilities, such as open communication, adherence to medical advice, and respect for healthcare providers—contributions essential to the success of treatment.
Ultimately, the Patient’s Charter for Leprosy Care aims to create a healthcare experience that is respectful, safe, and effective. By fostering trust, accountability, and empathy, it encourages a strong partnership between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring the best possible health outcomes.
Download6 April 2025 ·
Announcement: Jephiter Tsamwi joins GPZL team
We are excited to welcome Jephiter Tsamwi to the GPZL team as Manager – Communications and Digital Engagement. His experience and commitment will play a key role in strengthening our communication efforts and driving meaningful engagement. We look forward to the contributions he will bring to our shared mission.
5 April 2025 ·
Announcement: Vickash Chetry joins GPZL team
We are delighted to welcome Mr. Vickash Chetry to the GPZL team as our new Officer – Finance, Administration, and Human Resources. We are confident that his expertise and dedication will be a valuable addition to our team as we continue working towards our shared goals.
10 March 2025 ·
Call for Nominations – Representatives National Leprosy Programs for GPZL Members’ Assembly
The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) is seeking nominations for Representatives of National Leprosy Programs to serve on its Members’ Assembly for a two-year term, renewable once. The term will begin on 1 April 2025.
10 March 2025 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
GPZL Seeks Supply Chain Consultant
With the support of GPZL partner organizations, the consultant will conduct a comprehensive assessment of MDT, Clofazimine, Prednisolone, and Rifampicin supply chain challenges in the selected countries, identifying inefficiencies, key barriers, and opportunities for improvement.
30 January 2025 ·
Amar Timalsina on life with leprosy and the associated exclusion
Interview with Mr. Amar Timalsina, Chair of the GPZL – Prioritizing People Pillar Group.
29 January 2025 · Sasakawa Health Foundation
GLOBAL APPEAL 2025
End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy On January 30, 2025, Bhubaneswar, capital of India’s Odisha state, hosts the launch of Global Appeal 2025 to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy. This is the 20th Global Appeal since the first was … Read More >
27 January 2025 · World Health Organization
World Leprosy Day 2025
The theme for World Leprosy Day 2025 is “Unite. Act. Eliminate.”. The theme is a call to action aiming to raise awareness of leprosy, highlight the challenges faced by persons affected by leprosy, and inspire collaborative action to eliminate leprosy.
27 January 2025 · Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
World Leprosy Day 2025: Life-Saving Drugs Held Hostage by Delays
Many people affected by leprosy (Hansen’s disease) are being denied timely access to life-saving treatment due to logistical failures and funding shortfalls, the UN experts warned today.
9 January 2025 · Sasakawa Health Foundation
Leading GPZL to new heights in the global fight against Hansen’s disease
Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy, is not just a medical condition – it affects every aspect of a person’s life. It impacts independence, mobility, and is often linked to deformity, which in turn leads to severe social stigma and discrimination. This stigma creates barriers … Read More >
17 December 2024 · United Nations
UN Special Rapporteur calls for input from persons affected by Hansen’s disease (Leprosy)
The Special Rapporteur on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) and Their Family Members is seeking input for her Thematic Report, which will be presented at the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council in June 2025, in accordance with Resolution 53/8.
31 October 2024 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
Leadership Team Meeting, October 2024
The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) convened a three-day Leadership Team meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal, from October 25–27, 2024. The primary objectives of the meeting were to review GPZL’s accomplishments in 2024 and to discuss ideas for the 2025 business plan. The event featured … Read More >
30 July 2024 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
Dr Ritu Ghosh appointed Executive Director
The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) is pleased to announce Dr Ritu Ghosh’s appointment as Executive Director. Based in New Delhi, India, Dr Ghosh will lead in the execution of GPZL’s strategy and support the partners towards achievement of our global objectives and initiatives. … Read More >
7 February 2024 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
Executive Director Recruitment
The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy, a multi-stakeholder global coalition, is recruiting an Executive Director whose overall role will be to lead and support the partners towards achievement of GPZL’s purposes and objectives. More information on the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) can be … Read More >
1 January 2024 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
Appointment of New Chair
The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Peter Steinmann as Chair, effective today. Dr. Steinmann is a trained epidemiologist and public health specialist working at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute. He is passionate about making … Read More >
14 December 2023 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
New Strategy 2024-2026
The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) is a coalition committed to ending leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease. GPZL convenes stakeholders, links expertise, and empowers and leverages the collective strengths of our members towards the ultimate goal of zero leprosy: zero infection and disease, … Read More >
10 November 2023 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
Call for nominations: Leadership Team Chair
The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) facilitates alignment of the leprosy community and accelerates effective collaborative action toward the goal of zero leprosy: zero transmission, zero leprosy disease, zero new disability, and zero stigma and discrimination. The Partnership’s work is focused in three areas: … Read More >
1 November 2023 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
Appointment of UN Special Rapporteur
The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy warmly welcomes the appointment of Beatriz Miranda as UN Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and their family members. She starts in her new role on 1 November. Beatriz takes over … Read More >
15 October 2023 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
Structural changes in GPZL
During its recent in-person meeting in India, the GPZL Leadership Team made a number of decisions about the future structure of the organization. As signalled in a news posting in May, the former GPZL Secretariat, hosted by the Task Force for Global Health, closed at … Read More >