JICA and Noguchi train experts to fight infectious diseases

The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), a key institution of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana, is collaborating with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to enhance the skills of eight healthcare professionals from six African countries in modern laboratory technology.

This initiative aims to bolster efforts in combating infectious diseases across the continent.

The eight-week training program is structured into two modules: an online phase, which took place from April 20 to May 15, 2026, and an in-person component, scheduled to run from June 1 to June 26, 2026, at NMIMR’s Advanced Research Laboratories within the University of Ghana in Accra.

Trainees are participating from Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Zambia.

Conducted by expert scientists from NMIMR and across the broader African region, the curriculum covers essential topics including Parasitology, Bacteriology, Virology, Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Laboratory Quality Management practices. This comprehensive training will enable biomedical scientists to advance their knowledge and proficiency in infectious disease diagnostics and foster improved laboratory management skills.

As part of this year's sixth training initiative since 2019, NMIMR and JICA have already successfully trained 72 professionals who have made significant contributions to their countries’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in surveillance and testing.

This year's program is especially relevant given the recent rise in infectious diseases such as Marburg, Mpox, Hanta Virus, Lassa Fever, and Ebola in West Africa.

According to a joint NMIMR and JICA statement sourced from John Kojo Williams, Public Relations Advisor for JICA Ghana, “NMIMR and JICA remain committed to enhancing biomedical research and improving health outcomes across Ghana and the African continent."

This training not only equips participants with vital skills but also facilitates the sharing of best practices, ultimately strengthening healthcare networks and enhancing diagnostic, treatment, and prevention capabilities in their home countries.

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