Read online: https://africa.cgtn.com/who-chief-makes-a-global-appeal-to-end-leprosy-s...
==
The World Health Organization’s Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom has made a call for the elimination of stigma against Leprosy also known as Hansen’s disease.
The WHO chief said this in a joint statement with WHO’s Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, in which he emphasized the need to do more to eliminate the stigma associated with leprosy and promote the dignity of those affected by the disease.
“Stigma contributes to hesitancy to seek treatment, putting people at risk of disabilities and contributing to ongoing transmission,” Tedros said...
The call comes ahead of World Leprosy Day marked on the last Sunday of every January. This year’s focus is on a person-centered approach that addresses stigma, discrimination psychological and social well-being.
==
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org
