To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Armauer Hansen's discovery of the leprosy bacillus, Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) Initiative and Bergen International Film Festival are co-hosting a special Hansen's disease programme within the festival, in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Leprosy Museum in Bergen, Norway from October 24-26.
Though COVID-19 pandemic has gripped the world, India accounts for over half of the world’s new leprosy patients, according to WHO. Despite India being declared "leprosy-free" in 2005, the country still accounts for over half (almost 60 per cent) of the world's new leprosy patients.
The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the challenges and brought greater neglect, especially for marginalised/ people affected by Leprosy.Reinforcing the need to focus and enable communities, Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy .