In efforts to ensure infection diseases are well tackled in the sub-Sahara Africa, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana has organised the Third Country Training Program for countries within the Sub-Sahara continent.
JICA is the official development assistance agency of the Government of Japan since 1963 and has been implementing many projects and assisting the Government of Ghana in its efforts at achieving the country’s development goals and agenda.
JICA Ghana supports the Government of Ghana through loans, grant aids and technical cooperasition in many thematic areas including governance, private sector development, health, education, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, volunteerism and others.
Example of such projects are Tema motoraround project, Noguchi Rsearch Institute in University of Ghana, Maternal and Childhealth Record Book, KAIZEN with NBSSI, etc.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of the Institute Pro. Abraham Kwabena Anang indicated that, one of the most important priorities of International cooperation based on human security is the improvement of the healthcare systems.
Believing this will ensure prevention and management of various live-threating infections adding that, securing sufficient healthcare workers and developing their abilities are important elements of such efficient healthcare system hence their objective at the Noguchi Memorial Institute with the support of JICA and the Japanese government.
Speaking further, he noted that, “Since the need for functional medical teams comprising physicians and other health professionals including lab-technicians is paramount for the operation of efficient and effective healthcare systems, there is an urgent need for the development of specialists in biomedical laboratory technology.
Stressing, “This is due to the critical role they play in the diagnosis and treatment of infections.”
The course has been established, to provide an intensive and detailed training program in modern laboratory technology at NMIMR. This is to help improve the skills of laboratory technicians across West Africa, which are essential in such instances as an outbreak of new diseases.
The training program will be held in Ghana for 8weeks from 13th January 2020 to 5th March 2020.
There are fifteen (15) Participants for the course , drawn from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Togo, Benin, Cote D’Ivoire, and Ghana.
At the end of their training, they will have the opportunities to improve the quality of diagnosing, treatment and prevention of infections at medical institutions or laboratories in their various countries.
NMIMR and JICA have a long history since 1969, collaborating and contributing to the development of medical research and public health through laboratory diagnosis. The Japanese government continues to support Ghana’s efforts at actualizing quality and accessible universal healthcare.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com/ Ishmael Barfi
