On January 30, 2025, Bhubaneswar, capital of India’s Odisha state, hosts the launch of Global Appeal 2025 to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy.

This is the 20th Global Appeal since the first was launched in 2006, also in India. This year’s Appeal is supported by the Ministries of Health of Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative (SLI) priority countries for leprosy, and the event is co-organized by the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha, the World Health Organization and SLI.

India has the highest number of leprosy cases in the world, and Odisha is at the forefront. From this high-burden region, Global Appeal 2025 is being launched together with persons affected by leprosy and those working against the disease, and calls for a society where everyone has access to health and medical services without fear of discrimination, and where no one is left behind.

Date: January 30, 2025
Time: 15:00~17:00 (Local time)
Place: Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Organizers: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of Odisha, World Health Organization (WHO) and Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative

For further information, please visit Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative website.