Ghana: Cooperation for the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR)

Core base for infectious disease testing, research, and human resource development

  • Since NMIMR was founded as a core research institute in 1979, JICA has continued to provide it with intangible cooperation through eight technical cooperation projects, and tangible cooperation through four Official Development Assistance (ODA) grant aids.
  • Since 2010, JICA has provided support for the implementation of two joint research cooperation programs (numerous joint research programs with international organizations and universities around the world).

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Ceremony of establishment of NMIMR

NMIMR's contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • At its peak, 80% of the COVID-19 PCR tests in Ghana were processed at NMIMR.
  • NMIMR has also put effort into educating the public and raising awareness on preventing infections through easy-to-understand explanations on TV broadcasts about the status of testing and its methods in Ghana.

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Consultation between Japanese experts and NMIMR personnel

JICA’s cooperation

  • (Support on COVID-19 measures) Provision of supplies and equipment including face masks, disposable lab coats used in testing, automated RNA extraction instruments, RNA instrument testing kit, and other testing reagents.
  • (Ongoing) Cooperation on joint research on infectious disease surveillance and intestinal mucosa infections
  • (Ongoing) Accepting international students for human resource development in the field of infectious disease control
  • (Planned) Technical cooperation to enhance laboratory safety and improvement of quality management safety

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Development of Ghanaian researchers

Impact on neighboring countries

  • NMIMR has provided guidance on infectious disease testing in 11 countries in West Africa and played a leadership role in regional infectious disease control.

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Research cooperation between Japanese research institutes and NMIMR

JICA's cooperation

  • (Ongoing) Third Country Training Course on Enhancing Laboratory Skills for Infectious Diseases in West African Countries

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Advanced Research Center for Infectious Diseases

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Training for West African countries