July 2026.
Visit of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia and Yohei Sasakawa to the Jongaya Leprosy Complex, Makassar – South Sulawesi
On 11 July 2026, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, together with Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, and Founder of the Sasakawa Health Foundation, conducted a working visit to the Jongaya Leprosy Complex in Makassar. The visit aimed to strengthen the commitment to accelerating leprosy elimination in Indonesia and to support the empowerment of Persons Affected by Leprosy.
The program included an inspection of the Rumah Aman facility and a visit to the Self‑Care Group to engage in dialogue with persons affected. During the discussion, persons affected from PerMaTa and Jongaya shared their experiences of recovery, challenges related to stigma, and their hopes for improved access to health services and social support. On this occasion, PerMaTa also raised the issue of leprosy reaction management with the Minister of Health. In response, the Minister immediately discussed the matter with the Health Office and hospital representatives as part of efforts to strengthen leprosy reaction treatment.
Yohei Sasakawa was warmly welcomed by the members of PerMaTa, who admire him for his continuous support over many years and for his role as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination.
PerMaTa South Sulawesi–YDTI was also pleased to meet Dr. Vivek, head of the WHO Leprosy Program, and expressed appreciation for his genuine concern for the situation of persons affected by leprosy as well as for the functioning of the control program.
