The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research has marked its 45th anniversary with the launch of a special lecture series that highlights its groundbreaking contributions to public health and medical research.
Established in 1979 in honor of Japanese scientist Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, who came to Ghana in 1927 to research on yellow fever but succumbed to the very disease and passed away a year after on May 21, 1928. The institute has maintained its commitment to impactful scientific discovery ever since.
At the inaugural lecture held on Thursday, October 3, 2024, the Director of Noguchi, Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, officially opened the event under the theme “45 Years of Impactful Research for Sustainable Global Health.” In her address, she reflected on the institute’s significant role in shaping global health interventions and spearheading public health initiatives in Ghana.
She acknowledged that these strides are testaments to Noguchi’s ongoing influence since 1979 on health policy and disease prevention.
“For the past 45 years since the establishment of Noguchi, we have not put the flame down, but the flame has been burning because there are senior people and scientists, men and women who have worked tirelessly to make sure that the very objective that Noguchi came to Ghana keeps soaring.”
“Some years ago, we believed diarrhea was primarily caused by Salmonella and Shigella. However, a dedicated scientist from Noguchi went further, identifying additional pathogens responsible for such illnesses, which led to a major health breakthrough in Ghana. This research was instrumental in adding a vaccine to our Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).”
Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu stated that the lecture series is set to run every Thursday throughout October, 2024 offering insights into the institute’s legacy.
While the series will only highlight a fraction of Noguchi’s contributions, it aims to showcase pivotal research that has advanced medical knowledge both locally and internationally.
“So, within the next three weeks we are going to have four lecture series that is going to tell the Noguchi story, some of them, not all the contributions. We have done so much that we can only use only four lecture series, but just to let people know that we have done so much to support public health interventions in Ghana.”
She encouraged the younger researchers to attend the lecture series not because they are required to but because of a genuine eagerness to learn and be inspired.
She reminded them that they are fortunate to be surrounded by pioneering researchers whose work continues to guide global health progress.
“On that note, I hope that every lecture series we will not call on you, but you will be eager to come and learn, especially the young ones. Please, this lecture series is for you. You do not have all the time and you do not have to wait for your HODs to close the labs before you come. Please be happy that you have legends in our institute that you can listen, emulate and let that guide you to do better.”
As she officially launched the series, Prof. Yeboah-Manu celebrated the continued impact of the institute, which still remains a symbol of hope and progress in the field of medical research.
With four additional lectures planned for the month, the 45th anniversary series will continue to explore the institute’s role in addressing public health challenges, further strengthening Noguchi’s position as a leader in medical research in Ghana and beyond.
Story by: Joycelyn Glory | univers.ug.edu.gh
