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New NLR study predicts 90% leprosy reduction through preventive treatment of 40 million people in 22 years
2 March, 2021 | NLR International
To interrupt leprosy transmission and reduce annual new cases significantly, contact tracing and preventive treatment needs to be implemented in all leprosy-endemic countries Amsterdam, the Netherlands, March 1, 2021 – New research by NLR, until No Leprosy Remains (NLR) and Erasmus University … More New NLR study predicts 90% leprosy reduction through preventive treatment of 40 million people in 22 years

GPZL is Hiring: Consultant for Country Model Development
12 February, 2021 | Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy is searching for a consultant to support the development of the Zero Leprosy Country Model. Position: Development Consultant Duration: Anticipated 50% effort for 1 year Location: Remote Who We Are The Global Partnership for Zero … More GPZL is Hiring: Consultant for Country Model Development

Call for Nominations: Scientific Research Representative for GPZL Leadership Team
1 February, 2021 | Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) is seeking nominations for a representative of the scientific community to serve a two-year term, renewable once, on its Leadership Team. The term will begin on 1 April 2021. Leadership team members are … More Call for Nominations: Scientific Research Representative for GPZL Leadership Team

“Right to Work” Is Theme of 16th Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy
29 January, 2021 | Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative
TOKYO/BRUSSELS, January 28, 2021 – The 16th Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy will be launched in an online ceremony on January 31, 2021, World Leprosy Day. Organized by Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative, this year’s … More “Right to Work” Is Theme of 16th Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy

Novartis renews WHO medicine donation pledge with aim of ending leprosy
29 January, 2021 | Novartis
Basel, January 29, 2021 — A renewed partnership agreement signed by Novartis and the World Health Organization (WHO) will drive the global push towards making leprosy history. The five-year extension of the partnership – which was first signed in 2000 – … More Novartis renews WHO medicine donation pledge with aim of ending leprosy

Interim advice on the use of rifampicin for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
6 January, 2021 | ILEP Technical Commission
Interim advice on the use of rifampicin for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), in light of recent information on nitrosamine impurities in rifampicin A number of different problems have affected the supply of rifampicin and MDT to countries this year. The most … More Interim advice on the use of rifampicin for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

Women affected by leprosy speak out about COVID-19 challenges
14 December, 2020 | Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
Women affected by leprosy share concerns of the community of persons affected during the COVID-19 pandemic in a video, recently released by GPZL. By learning from these women affected by leprosy, the NTD community can strengthen strategies to reach zero discrimination, zero stigma, and zero disability for persons affected by leprosy and other NTDs worldwide. And by looking to the experts on the ground, including those who have experienced NTDs, NGOs and governments can better fill in the gaps in COVID-19 response.

The Partnership’s Mission to Ghana
10 December, 2020 | Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
In late November the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy conducted its country review of Ghana. The review was requested by the Ghanaian National Leprosy Programme, headed by Dr Benedict Quao. The objective of the country review was to take stock … More The Partnership’s Mission to Ghana

Call for Contributions from Persons Affected by Hansen’s Disease for Report to Human Rights Council
9 December, 2020 | Alice Cruz
The Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by Hansen’s disease and their family members, Alice Cruz, is preparing a report due to be presented at the 47th session of the Human Rights Council in June 2021. … More Call for Contributions from Persons Affected by Hansen’s Disease for Report to Human Rights Council

WHO Report on Global Leprosy Consultation 2020
9 December, 2020 | World Health Organization
The World Health Organization organized a Consultation of National Leprosy Programme managers, partners and affected persons to discuss the draft Global Leprosy Strategy, 2021–2030. This virtual event took place from 26 to 30 October 2020. It was attended by more … More WHO Report on Global Leprosy Consultation 2020

Leprosy Research Initiative Call for Proposals: Budget Round 2022
2 December, 2020 | Leprosy Research Initiative
The Leprosy Research Initiative (LRI) is pleased to announce a call for proposals for funding commencing in 2022. LRI funds research with a focus on leprosy – including research applications combining leprosy with other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) or other … More Leprosy Research Initiative Call for Proposals: Budget Round 2022

Neglected Tropical Diseases: World Health Assembly endorses bold new road map targets for 2030
12 November, 2020 | World Health Organization
12 November 2020 — Today, delegates attending the virtual session of the Seventy-third World Health Assembly overwhelmingly endorsed the new road map for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) for 2021−2030. Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: a road … More Neglected Tropical Diseases: World Health Assembly endorses bold new road map targets for 2030

SDR-PEP Webinar Series: The Role of Persons Affected in SDR-PEP Implementation
6 November, 2020 | Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
Learn about SDR-PEP, why is it needed, and the role of persons affected by leprosy in successful SDR-PEP implementation. Hear from Alice Cruz, Amar Timalsina, and the WHO Global Leprosy Programme.

A Prioritized Zero Leprosy Research Agenda
4 November, 2020 | Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) presented the prioritised Zero Leprosy Research Agenda at the WHO Global Consultation on Global Leprosy Strategy 2021 – 2030 last week. In 2018, the Research Agenda working group’s eight different sub-groups conducted a … More A Prioritized Zero Leprosy Research Agenda

Sasakawa Health Foundation Announces Grant Recipients: Organizations of Persons Affected by Leprosy During COVID-19
4 November, 2020 | Sasakawa Health Foundation
TOKYO, Oct. 29, 2020 — Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative will launch a US$340,000 grant program on November 1 to support communities of persons affected by leprosy around the world that have been hard hit by the effects of the … More Sasakawa Health Foundation Announces Grant Recipients: Organizations of Persons Affected by Leprosy During COVID-19

Contact tracing with prophylactic treatment could near-eliminate leprosy in a single generation, new research suggests
2 November, 2020 | Novartis International AG
Results from the Novartis Foundation-initiated Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) program covered more than 150,000 people across seven countries Post-exposure prophylaxis with a single dose of the antibiotic rifampicin is safe, can be integrated into different leprosy control programs, and is … More Contact tracing with prophylactic treatment could near-eliminate leprosy in a single generation, new research suggests

Grant Program for Organizations of Persons Affected by Leprosy/Hansen’s Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic
24 September, 2020 | Sasakawa Health Foundation
Sasakawa Health Foundation with support from The Nippon Foundation is implementing a grant program for organizations of persons affected by leprosy/Hansen’s disease to support people who have been severely impacted by the unprecedented crisis caused by the spread of the … More Grant Program for Organizations of Persons Affected by Leprosy/Hansen’s Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Bill Gallo Joins GPZL as Secretariat Director
15 September, 2020 | Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
Bill Gallo joins the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) this month as Secretariat Director. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge in global health and diverse experiences in policy and programme management. He is excited to take on … More Bill Gallo Joins GPZL as Secretariat Director

The COVID-19 Crisis and Persons Affected by Leprosy: Questionnaire Results
9 September, 2020 | Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
The economic, social, and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a significant increase in the need for humanitarian aid and social protection measures. Persons affected by leprosy have been especially impacted by the worst consequences of the pandemic, due to preexisting vulnerabilities and economic precarity.
Governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and organizations of persons affected by leprosy have enacted policies and programmes intended to support persons affected during this crisis, although there are still gaps. To support the effectiveness of these interventions, and to help raise awareness of resources available to persons affected, the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy’s COVID-19 Emergency Advocacy Working Group and UN Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members Alice Cruz, gathered data on available programmes and resources. The following information was gathered through an online questionnaire from 100+ persons affected and partners, representing 24 countries.

ILEP Technical Commission and Advisory Panels accepting nominations
28 August, 2020 | Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
The ILEP Technical Commission and the ILEP Advisory Panel both come up for re-appointment in October. The two groups work closely with one another to coordinate guidance at ILEP Federation. The ILEP Technical Commission includes experts covering a range of … More ILEP Technical Commission and Advisory Panels accepting nominations