Paula Brandão

Paula Brandão is a Brazilian woman affected by Hansen's disease. At 22 years old she fell ill, and was treated and cured. Since then, Paula has dedicated herself to facing the effects of Hansen's disease as a stigmatized disease in society and to caring for those affected, their families and communities through my profession and volunteering in an organization.
Paula is a nurse with a master's degree and doctorate in Public Health from the Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health (Fundação Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ). During her doctorate, she evaluated the implementation of the coalition (Movement for the Reintegration of People Affected by  Hansen's disease - Morhan) as a strategy for participation and empowerment of people affected by  Hansen's disease  in Brazil. Paula is currently a professor at the College of Nursing at the  Rio de Janeiro  State University  and a member of Morhan's national board of directors. Between the years 2017-2020, she was a member of the Panel of Women and Men Affected by Leprosy of the International Federation of Associations against Leprosy - ILEP.