Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara
President


Prof. Kenzo Kiikuni
Chair


Dr. Yo Yuasa
Medical Advisor

Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation (SMHF) was established in 1974, with Mr. Ryoichi Sasakawa, founder and first chairman 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 those it touched. SMHF approaches HD not only as a public health problem but also as a social and human issue.

Apart from HD, the work of SMHF covers many of issues within the realm of basic health needs. In doing so SMHF has always respected the ownership by the people, of their own health related needs. SMHF believes in sharing resources and knowledge, rather than creating a situation in which the ‘haves' give to the “have-nots'. Through this we would like to share with you the joy of working together across national borders for the benefit of people in need.

HD, a medical and a social issue, has been and will remain the central pillar of our activities. In addition, the foundation has extended its support to other areas, not only immediate health problems but also training and the education of human resources in health. These resources are integral elements of global health and medical planning.

NB: Hansen's Disease (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)

SMHF's activities include:
Hansen's Disease (elimination / socio-economic rehabilitation / restoration of dignity / preservation of history)
Sasakawa Medical Scholarship Programme (for China)
Parasitic Disease Control
HIV/AIDS
WHO Sasakawa Health Prize
Chernobyl Sasakawa Health and Medical Cooperation (completed in 2001)
Buruli Ulcer Control (completed in 2004)