The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) has held a symposium to celebrate its 45th anniversary in contributing to public health and medical research in the West African subregion. 

The symposium which took place at the Institute, located at the University of Ghana (UG) Accra  was on  the theme: “45 years of impactful research for sustainable global health”.

Some personalities who graced the occasion were the UG’s Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Alfred E. Yawson; the Director of NMIMR, Professor Dorothy Yeboah Manu; Representative of the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Naoki Mitori; WHO’s acting Country Representative, Dr Angela Ama Ackon; the Country Director of JICA, Mako Nagao;

Others were the Director of Public Health at GHS, Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe; the Chief Executive Officer of National Vaccines Institute, Professor William Kwabena Ampofo; the Director of David Satcher Global Health Equity Institute in the USA, Professor Barney Graham.

Scope and Achievement

The NMIMR was established in 1979 in honour of theJapanese scientist, Dr Hideyo Noguchi, who conducted researched on yellow fever in the country following his arrival in 1927. He, however, passed away in May 1928 after contracting yellow fever.

The institute was established to conduct world-class research, provide training, and offer diagnostic and technical support during health crisis.

It has over the years cemented its reputation as a leading research institution in infectious diseases, taking bold strides in combating diseases such as malaria, Ebola, polio, among others.

In her address at the opening ceremony, the Director of NMIMR, Prof. Yeboah-Manu, underscored the achievement of the institute  over the years in addressing some common diseases across Africa.

She explained that the NMIMR had been at the forefront of malaria, Ebola virus, Marburg, COVID-19, polio researches, among others, advancing the understanding of the diseases, enhancing diagnostics and testing new treatments.

Prof. Yeboah-Manu said the institute had led groundbreaking studies into malaria transmission dynamics, antimalarial resistance and the efficacy of bed nets and vaccines.

The Director of NMIMR stated that “when it comes to health interventions, Noguchi is leading in the West African sub-region. Noguchi’s development is very important for sustained efforts against diseases,” she stated.

Prof. Yeboah-Manu called for increased budget for the NMIMR as its research was very important for enhancing medical research to combat diseases across the continent.

“Noguchi is a crucial medical research institute; it must have a budgetary allocation. Research is very important for the advancement of every country; without putting the needed funding to allow research, the country cannot go forward. All the advanced countries that have developed is because they put in budget for research,” Prof. Yeboah-Manu stated.

Commendation

The WHO acting Country Director, Dr Ackon, commended NMIMR for 45 years of impactful research for sustainable global health in Africa and the world; stating that “Scientific research forms the bedrock of progress in health and medicine”.

She stated that over the past 45 years, the institute had contributed tremendously to the advancement of scientific knowledge, pushing the boundaries in ways that had profound implications for health outcomes around the world.

“Your work has been instrumental in generating evidence that informs policy, shapes clinical practice, and drives innovations in disease prevention, treatment, and health system strengthening. For that, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all who have made this work possible,” Dr Ackon stated.

For her part, the Country Director of JICA, Mako Nagao, lauded NMIMR for its significant role in the fight against COVID-19 in country; stating that “the pandemic and ensuing disease outbreaks showed us the importance of having a robust surveillance system with adequate research capacities in place, as a critical element for emergency preparedness and response”.

Ms Nagao assured NMIMR of continuous support towards the realisation of its vision of becoming an International Organisation for Standardisation of a certified institution undertaking world class biomedical research.