Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona, during the Western Pacific Region Global Meeting on Leprosy Elimination, stressing that early detection of cases and reduction of stigma are the main strategies in eliminating leprosy in the country. Ona assured patients that there are enough medicines to treat cases. Former health chief Dr. Alberto Romualdez, Jr, on the other hand, disclosed that there may be a direct link between poverty and most diseases (including leprosy) because of the problem in the health system like access to information and treatment. Also in photo from left are World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Director Dr. Shin Young-soo and Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation Chair Prof. Kenzo Kiikuni.(13 February 2012, WHO Western Pacific Office, United Nations Ave., Manila)