In July, I traveled to Indonesia to take part in the 3rd Global Forum of People’s Organizations on Hansen’s Disease and the 22nd International Leprosy Congress (ILC). I also visited endemic areas in East Java Province together with Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

Guided by the belief that “solutions are to be found in the same locations as the problems,” I have visited 125 countries. No one understands the issues at the local level better than the people who live with them every day. For their voices to be reflected in policy and carried into action, the government must demonstrate strong commitment and leadership.

At this year’s ILC, the Minister of Health announced concrete steps to strengthen efforts towards zero leprosy in Indonesia. The following day, I joined him in Sampang Regency, where he stressed that a temporary rise in new cases should not be seen as shameful but as a sign of progress. Equally noteworthy was his pledge to personally conduct on-site inspections every three months, an exceptional gesture of commitment. I concluded my trip in Probolinggo Regency, where I met with the governor of East Java Province, who agreed, along with other local officials and representatives, to set up a cross-sectoral committee for coordination of leprosy control efforts.

Today, Indonesia has a favorable wind at its back. We must ensure that this wind reaches other countries as well. Steady progress along the difficult path towards zero leprosy can happen when persons affected by leprosy, local communities, and governments work together. I will continue my bridging role, connecting people at all levels of society so that this progress can be made.

Yohei Sasakawa
WHOGoodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination