World Leprosy Day | India must ensure economic security for people with leprosy, says WHO goodwill ambassador
Updated:
Updated:
January 30, 2021 11:53 IST
Yohei Sasakawa has rhetorically stressed that the government should bring leprosy-affected people into the mainstream and get them treated
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Yohei Sasakawa. File
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S. Subramanium
Yohei Sasakawa has rhetorically stressed that the government should bring leprosy-affected people into the mainstream and get them treated India needs to take special measures to ensure economic security for people with leprosy as situations like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have jolted the ostracised community, making them rely merely on handouts to survive, WHO Goodwill Ambassador against the disease Yohei Sasakawa has said.
Every year the last Sunday of January is observed as World Leprosy Day. Here are some powerful quotes and messages to send in your social circle this year.
World Leprosy Day: India must ensure economic security for people with leprosy, says WHO goodwill ambassador
NEW DELHI: India needs to take special measures to ensure economic security for people with leprosy as situations like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have jolted the ostracised community, making them rely merely on handouts to survive, WHO goodwill ambassador against the disease Yohei Sasakawa has said.
Like always, people with leprosy have been ignored during these trying times and not many have come forward to check on their well-being, said Sasakawa, who was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2019 for his fight against leprosy, especially in India.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the challenges the leprosy-affected community face: deep and widespread stigma, discrimination, misinformation, unfounded fear, besides living with the disease itself. IPS senior correspondent STELLA PAUL looks at the challenges they face ahead of World Leprosy Day on Jan. 31
Participants from organisations focused on assisting Hansen’s disease-affected people from Asia, Latin America and Africa with World Health Organisation (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, Yohei Sasakawa (centre pink shirt) pictured in 2019. Participants were attending the Global Forum of People’s Organisations on Hansen’s disease in Manila, Philippines, which was sponsored by the Sasakawa Health Foundation and The Nippon Foundation. Credit: Stella Paul/IPS