Promoting advocacy and partner coordination for leprosy elimination

“Alone, I can go fast; together, we can go far”. For many years, control of leprosy in countries as well as at the international level has benefitted from dedicated and engaged partners such as the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP) and its members; the International Leprosy Association (ILA); The Nippon Foundation (TNF) and Sasakawa Health Foundation (SHF); Novartis; the Leprosy Research Initiative (LRI); and organizations representing persons who have experienced or are affected by leprosy. More recently, these and many more partners came together in 2018 to form the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL).

WHO has been critical in mobilizing various partners, in countries as well as internationally, to capitalize on their strengths and comparative advantage.

Since May 2001, WHO has also counted on Mr Yohei Sasakawa, the WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, who has travelled around the world to advocate for the elimination of leprosy. He has met many heads of states and governments, cabinet ministers, director-generals and hospital chiefs to advocate for the elimination of leprosy. During his numerous travels to countries he has visited villages and remote areas to meet patients and their families and to spread the simple message that leprosy is curable and treatable and that there should be no stigma and discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their families.

• Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
• The International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP)
• International Leprosy Association (ILA)
• Sasakawa Health Foundation
• Novartis − Corporate responsibility
• Leprosy Research Initiative
  
• UN Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members