Nippon Foundation launches Global Appeal 2019 for leprosy patients

India targets to be a leprosy free nation by 2030

Continuing its practice of bringing together different stakeholders to speak up against the baseless stigma and discrimination that is faced by persons affected by Leprosy, The Nippon Foundation in collaboration with Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation (S-ILF) organised their annual event Global Appeal 2019. The International Chamber of Commerce has endorsed this year’s global appeal.

The appeal was read in the presence of the Minister of Law and Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad and John Denton, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce. It aims at bringing international attention to the stigma and unjust treatment that still affects those affected by this fully curable disease.

The endorsement of the Appeal by the International Chamber of Commerce is significant as the information about the true facts of leprosy viz it being a bacterial disease and among the least infectious of diseases; early detection and treatment avoids disabilities and that it is not hereditary will now reach all its members across the globe.

The major step in fighting stigma and discrimination is awareness and scientific knowledge. The launch of the Appeal in India further highlights the essence of the landmark Supreme Court Judgement of September14, 2018 which exhorted the government to act on ending stigma against persons affected by leprosy by both more effective medical outreach and proactive initiatives for their social and economic integration.

At a ‘Dialogue on Leprosy’, held as part of the Global Appeal 2019, discussion was focussed on Justice Misra’s historic verdict on Leprosy and the way forward. The event saw presence of important stakeholder groups including Persons affected by Leprosy, Representatives from WHO, Representatives from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Representatives from Ministry of Social Justice, TNF Members, NGOs and CII Members. The participation and coming together of different stakeholders to work together to further the recent commendable efforts made by the Ministries of Health, Social Justice and Law, was an important outcome of the dialogue and will lead to significant changes in the social perception of leprosy and those affected by it.

Calling for a Global Appeal and the need for a country wide programme of awareness building, Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman, Nippon Foundation, is also the Goodwill Ambassador of the World Health Organization for Leprosy Elimination said, “We are indeed proud of our annual initiative of Global Appeal, which has not only been able to make a difference to the lives of people affected by leprosy but also attracted the attention of respectable organisations such as the International Chamber of Commerce. I hope that all stakeholders present today, including the Media, will support us to win the war against leprosy. This will require a call to action to raise awareness in society by providing correct information about leprosy, including that it is a curable disease with free treatment available and that discrimination is unjustifiable.”

In his opening remarks, Tarun Das, Chairman – Sasakawa India Leprosy Foundation, said: “It is time that the world wakes up to realise the need for coming together to fight the stigma against the Leprosy. An important element of the launch of the Global Appeal is the Inter-Chamber of Commerce. Up till now, leprosy has not attracted the attention of the influential corporate world and this is an important development. This year it is very encouraging to see critical stakeholders coming together and we are optimistic to work towards the Vision of Leprosy Free India by 2030.”

Speaking about the ‘Global Appeal’ dialogue, Dr Vineeta Shanker, Executive Director, Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation said, “Social stigma and failure to detect cases early are hurdles in eradicating leprosy. There are known practical problems in detection, too. Hence, increased resource allocation towards leprosy awareness and control is imperative. In today’s age, it is a known fact that leprosy, if timely detected, is treatable and a person becomes non-infective within 24 hours of starting treatment. These steps are sure to contribute to the improvement of the overall social environment and the negative perception around leprosy.”

The event was inaugurated with children from a Delhi colony of leprosy-affected people singing along with popular Delhi singer Sonam Kalra.