"I look forward to exploring the good examples, challenges and opportunities in eliminating discrimination against people affected by leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, and their families," said the rapporteur.
She added: "My visit will mainly focus on issues of structural and interpersonal discrimination, anti-discrimination policies, better strategies for stigma reduction and inclusive development on the specific population of people affected by leprosy and their families".
Alice Cruz indicated that she also intends to "identify progress and gaps in the implementation of the United Nations Principles and Guidelines and make constructive recommendations".
The expert will meet with government representatives, civil society organizations, experts in health, law and social sciences, as well as affected people, their families and their representative organizations.
He will also visit several Hansen disease communities in the Luanda and Benguela regions, in order to learn about their work and discuss their priorities.
At the end of her visit, Alice Cruz will hold a press conference to share her preliminary observations, on May 10, 2022, the last day of this visit.
Data from the National Leprosy Control Program in Angola, released on 30 January, the world day for fighting this disease, point to over 1800 cases per year.
The same source says that Luanda is the city most affected by this disease, with the most new cases.
Alice Cruz, Portuguese, became in 2017 the first Special Rapporteur for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy and their Families.
