Microsoft Word 02Preface doc

Section 1 
 
Framework of the Evaluation 
 
 
 

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Section 1 Framework of the Evaluation 
1 Outline of the Study 
1.1
 
Background to the Study 
The foremost causes of mortality in Africa are malaria, tuberculosis, diarrhea, 
HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.    One of Japan’s priorities for cooperation 
in health and medical care in Africa is to implement preventive measures against 
infectious diseases.  As costly investments are required in order to procure 
equipment and basic technical facilities to carry out examinations and research on 
infectious diseases, and administrative and maintenance expenses for such facilities 
are high, it is difficult for African countries in vulnerable economic circumstances to 
acquire research institutions and laboratories.    However, by creating core reference 
laboratories in a designated region, a regional testing network can be established that 
can efficiently handle the demands of the region.     
Based on this concept, Japan has provided long-term cooperation in the three 
countries of Ghana, Kenya, and Zambia in the form of assistance to research 
institutions to conduct research and the examination of infectious diseases, as well as 
the implementation of human resources development programmes.  For example, 
technical cooperation was provided for the College of Health Services, University of 
Ghana, in 1968; the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research was created 
under the grant aid scheme in 1977; project type technical cooperation has been 
implemented since 1986; and Third Country Training Programmes have been 
conducted since 1991.    Japanese cooperation has not been confined to Ghana alone, 
but assistance to foster health care personnel as well as research cooperation has been 
carried out in neighboring countries.  In addition, technical cooperation aimed at 
human resources development and research on infectious diseases control has been 
implemented based on facilities constructed under the grant aid and technical 
cooperation scheme in such countries as Kenya and Zambia.   
As a result of the establishment of research institutes and subsequent long-term 
cooperation in Ghana, Kenya and Zambia, the research capacity of these institutes 
has been strengthened in terms of human and institutional resources.    On the other 
hand, the priority for cooperation in the health and medical sector has been shifting 
to cooperation targeting the nation from assistance provided to research institutes, 
with the expectation of ripple effects for the nation as a whole through the 
enhancement of overall research capacity.    Under the circumstances, it is necessary 
to examine the functions and roles of research institutes for communicable diseases 
control in order to progress with cooperation in the area of infectious diseases 
control.  
 

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