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History and Objectives
Sakawa Memorial Health Foundation (SMHF) was established in 1974, with Mr. Ryoichi Sasakawa, founder and first president of the Nippon Foundation (TNF) as President, and Professor Morizo Ishidate, father of chemotherapy of Hansen's Disease (HD) in Japan, as Chair. The principal objective of SMHF is to eliminate HD, a disease which has struck fear into human beings for millennia and stigmatised the afflicted. In addition to improve the health and welfare of the afflicted, it has also been active in supporting social and public education programmes which aim to eliminate discrimination.
SMHF believes in sharing of the resources and knowledge, rather than the 'haves' giving to the 'have-nots', and through this we want to share with you the joy of working together for the benefit of the people in need, beyond and across the national borders.
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Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara
President
Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation |
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Hansen's Diasease (HD)
It was officially decided in Japan that the word "leprosy" be changed to "Hansen's
Disease."
(The Law to Repeal the Leprosy Prevention Law - 1996) |
Activities
Starting with HD, the foundation has extended its support to research and control activities to various areas. The foundation's activities cover not only the immediate health problems but also training and education which are integral elements of global health and medical planning.
It will be remarkable if we meet the target of eliminating HD to one patient per ten thousand by 2005, but this is only a waypoint in the history of HD. With this target, the first phase will end and the second begins.
The next step is to restore the human rights of patients and people affected by HD and their families all over the world.
I will strive to eliminate HD and re-establish the rights and dignity of those who have suffered or are still suffering from this disease.
Yohei Sasakawa, Special Ambassador to the Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy
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| World Health Assembly held in Geneva |
SMHF's activities cover;
・ Hansen's Disease (elimination / socio-economic rehabilitation)
・ Parasitic Disease Control
・ Buruli Ulcer Control
・ Chernobyl Sasakawa Health and Medical Cooperation (completed in 2001)
・ HIV / AIDS
・ Sasakawa Medical Scholarship Programme (for China), and
・ Sasakawa Health Prize
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