Every year at the World Health Assembly, the Sasakawa Health Prize is awarded to an individual or an institution that has accomplished outstanding work in development of health. This year the award was made to the Movement for the Reintegration of People Affected by Hansen’s Disease (MORHAN) of Brazil. MORHAN’s goal is to educate the community and prevent discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and those who are marginalised.

Mr Cristiano Torres, Vice-National Co-ordinator of MORHAN, who was diagnosed with leprosy when he was eight, was present in Geneva to receive this Health Prize on behalf of his organisation. He said: “We need to do our best to ensure the well-being of people affected by this disease. In our 27-year history, it is the first time that we have been given such an important award.”

The Sasakawa Health Prize was established in 1984 at the 27^th World Health Assembly. 

Categories: Brazil, News and Notes, South America