RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has expressed full support for the Sasakawa Foundation’s commitment to helping Indonesia eliminate leprosy. This was conveyed by Yohei Sasakawa, the World Health Organization (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and Chairperson of the Nippon Foundation.

Yosei conveyed that the President is fully behind the foundation’s various initiatives aimed at eradicating the disease across the nation.

"He has shown full support for our activities to eliminate this disease," said Yosei following a meeting with President Prabowo in Hambalang, Bogor, on Friday, January 16, 2026.

He noted that widespread misinformation regarding the treatment of leprosy persists in society. Furthermore, patients and survivors frequently face deep-seated social stigma.

"When it comes to eliminating stigma, national support is crucial so that the public no longer discriminates against them," he added.

Influencer Arnold Saputra has also expressed interest in assisting the Sasakawa Foundation by engaging the younger generation in leprosy advocacy. Arnold intends to contribute by highlighting recovery efforts and educating the public to prevent discrimination against those affected.

"The first step is education through social media, informing people that leprosy is not what we think it is," remarked Arnold.

He emphasized that leprosy is not easily transmitted and that treatment is provided free of charge by the Sasakawa Foundation and its team in Indonesia.

Arnold reiterated that the disease is not highly contagious. "As for the medication, Sasakawa and his team have made it all available for free." (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)