Speaking at the 50th founding anniversary of the German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association (GLRA), Minister of Health Dr. Tewodros Adhanom said GLRA played a significant role in fight leprosy and assisting the victims of the diseases during the last 50 years.

The minister called on GLRA to further strengthen assistance in efforts geared toward prevention and control of TB, and HIV/ AIDS in the future.

“Assistances that have been extended to the leprosy prevention and control program in Ethiopia have expanded its scope to support the combined TB and leprosy prevention and control program in 1994 and eventually the TB/HIV collaborative activities since 2004.” GLRA Vice President, Gudrun Freifrau Von Wiedersperg said.

Today, she said, GLRA is providing financial, technical and material assistance to 27 projects in Ethiopia.

The minister and the vice president opened an exhibition depicting the activities of GLRA and artifacts made by leprosy-victims as part the celebration.

German Ambassador to Ethiopia, Dr. Claas Dieter Knoop said on the occasion GLRA, Germany as EU and G8 president in 2007, put the fight against TB, malaria, and HIV/AIDS on the top of the international agenda.

GLRA, which is strongly rooted in the City of Wurzburg, Germany, shall strive to forge alliances between Harar and Wurzburg cities while celebrating its golden jubilee, the ambassador said.

GLRA, established in 1998 in Eastern Ethiopia at a local place called ‘Bisidimo’, has succeeded in expanding its assistance to the leprosy control program to almost all leprosy-prone countries of the third world.

GLRA today has a worldwide commitment to mitigate the suffering of leprosy-victims by supporting over 300 projects in Africa, South America, Asia and Eastern Europe.

R...2:50-3:40 pm

E- 3:45-4:15 pm

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