Greetings from Dr. Osamu KUNII, Chairperson of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Committee
June 2024
Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, whose numerous biographies have been written by not only Japanese but also non-Japanese, and whose portrait was featured on the 1,000-yen bill issued in 2004. He was a pioneer of Japanese medical research in Africa and was nominated three times for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Before explaining the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize, I would first like to look back on the life of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, from whom this prize originated.
The life of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi
Born in Fukushima, Japan, in 1876, Noguchi suffered a serious and heavy burn on his left hand by falling into the fireplace at his family’s home in Fukushima when he was only one. It was believed that his left hand would never function again; however, at the age of 15, he underwent surgery, and some mobility was restored to his hand. Noguchi was so impressed by the results of the operation, and the dedication of his surgeon, that he decided to become a doctor himself and devote his life to helping others in need. Due to the affectionate support of his mother, Shika Noguchi, and his ceaseless efforts, he was able to achieve his goal of becoming a doctor. He further moved on to implement activities internationally, receiving support from many others.
Dr. Noguchi moved to the United States in 1900 and first studied at the University of Pennsylvania. Then, after studying in Denmark, he joined the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in its initial period of foundation and dedicated himself to research on bacteriology. After attracting worldwide attention by announcing a success in creating a pure culture of syphilitic spirochete in 1911, he started studying yellow fever in 1918. In 1927, he moved to Ghana to study yellow fever that broke out on the western coast of Africa, but became infected with it himself, and passed away prematurely at 51 in 1928 in Ghana.
However, the mindset and achievements of Dr. Noguchi, who dedicated himself to the study of medicine in Africa and who believed in the possibility of medicine despite being born poor and put under adverse conditions, along with his tremendous efforts and passion eventually made international contributions which still encourage and serve as a polestar for many people living today.
The significance and background of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize
Contribution made by Japan to Africa
Dedicated to carrying out the will of Dr. Noguchi, the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize has some unique aspects. First, it sheds light on the study of medicine, clinical studies, and medical/health services for Africa, which have not necessarily received sufficient public attention. Second, it is designed to support and reward people on the ground/site who have been taking on challenges involving relevant issues for all of humanity – whether by combating infectious diseases or by improving people’s lives in Africa.
Why is Japan engaged in such activities? Japan has been assisting African countries through the Official Development Assistance (ODA)(*1) efforts as well as actively working to resolve various issues in the international field of healthcare, many of which African countries are facing. It can be said that the Hideyo Noguchi African Prize is the symbol of the ideals and philosophy of Japan trying to support the lives and living of people in Africa, and in turn to improve the healthcare and welfare of all humanity. The wish of the Government of Japan to encourage people having the same spirit as Dr. Noguchi and to cast a spotlight on people acting with the same passion as Dr. Noguchi in Africa is the motivation for awarding this prize.
Furthermore, the Award is beginning to take on new significance and value.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim for a world in which "no one is left behind, while Japan consistently demonstrates leadership in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a state in which all people have access to basic health services when they need them, at a cost they can afford. The Award shines a light on those who are dedicated to saving lives and restoring health to those who have been left behind and forgotten in the world.
The COVID-19 has swept the globe, and climate change and global environmental changes are having a profound impact on ecosystems and human society. In these times, the existing and emerging diseases in Africa may spread globally and threaten our way of life. This Prize encourages activities that have an impact not only in Africa but globally.
The role of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize
The prize awarding ceremony had been held four times since 2008. The past laureates are all wonderful and best-qualified people, and we are delighted to see them still active and continuously achieving admirable accomplishments. Among those laureates, there are some who have utilized the prize honorarium of 100 million yen to establish a scholarship and provide training education for medical practitioners or to implement a new public health project. We strongly believe that the awarding of this prize will raise awareness among the international community on healthcare and welfare in Africa, which had not been drawing sufficient attention in the past and will further strongly serve the role of promoting medical studies and activities in Africa in the future.
The future schedule of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize
The Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize has been awarded on the occasion of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)(*2) which is being held every three years. TICAD 9 is scheduled to be held in August 2025, and the laureates of the Fifth Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize are also scheduled to be announced on that occasion. I, together with other members of the selection committee, endeavor to nominate wonderful and best-qualified laureates so as to further spread the spirit of Dr. Noguchi around the world through this prize.
Useful Links
*1 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) Japan’s ODA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
*2 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) TICAD
Profile
Osamu KUNII
Chairperson, Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Committee
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Executive Director, Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund)
Visiting Professor, Nagasaki Univ., Tokyo Medical and Dental Univ., Chiba Univ., Showa Univ., and Kyoto Univ.
Former Head of Strategy, Investment and Impact Division, The Global Fund
Former Senior Health Strategy Advisor at UNICEF HQ； Chief of Health and Nutrition Program at Myanmar Country Office; Chief of Child Survival and Development at Somalia Support Center of UNICEF
Visited and worked in over twenty African countries, and lived in Kenya for three years.