Nothing For Us, Without Us – Hansen ’s Disease-Affected Tell International Gathering

Jennifer Quimno of the Coalition of Leprosy Advocates of the Philippines (CLAP) (centre) is joined by Sri Lanka's Shagana Thiygalingam (L) and Amarasinghe Manjula (R) after Quimno delivered the recommendations presented by the Global Forum of People's Organisations on Hansen's Disease to the International Leprosy Congress in Manila on September 11. Credit: Ben Kritz/IPSBy Ben KritzMANILA, Sep 11 2019 (IPS) Stronger government action to fight stigma and discrimination, more government funding for health and non-health support programmes, and a larger role for people’s organisations in developing policy towards Hansen’s disease treatment and eradication are still needed for eliminating the disease. This was some of the recommendations made by participants of the first ever Global Forum of People’s Organisations on Hansen’s Disease today, Sept. 11 during a presentation to global academics, scientists, researchers, health staff, partners and those affected by the disease at the 20th International Leprosy Congress (ILC). Jennifer Quimno, secretary of the Coalition of Leprosy Advocates of the Philippines (CLAP), was chosen by the forum participants to represent the group. “I really felt I was carrying everyone’s voices with me,” Quimno told IPS. Ending stigma, improving cooperation The ILC, which is currently being held in Manila, Philippines, is hosted every three years and was last held in China in 2016. Prior to the start of the congress, Japan’s Sasakawa...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Asia-Pacific Civil Society Conferences Development & Aid Featured Global Headlines Health Human Rights Regional Categories TerraViva United Nations Global Forum of People’s Organisations on Hansen’s Disease Hansen's disease N Source Type: news