Accra, April 30, GNA - The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Japanese government have signed a cooperation agreement under which WHO will assist in administering the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize instituted by Japan to honour medical researchers and healthcare experts who have made outstanding contributions to fighting disease in Africa. The first award of the prize, consisting of a citation, a medal and an honorarium of 100 million yen (US$843,668), will be made at the 2008 Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). A statement issued by the WHO in Brazzaville, Congo, and received in Accra on Monday said the award would be made every five years to coincide with TICAD.

The prize consists of two categories: one honouring individuals for outstanding work in the field of medical research, and the other recognizing organizations and/or individuals credited with outstanding work in the field of medical services in Africa.

It said under the terms of the WHO-Japan cooperation agreement signed in Brazzaville on Monday, Japan would make available to the WHO Regional Office for Africa US$ 500 000 "to provide administrative services in support of the work of the Sub-Committee on medical services for the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize". The agreement was initialed for WHO by its Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, and for Japan by Dr Hajime Inoue, Director of the Office for International Cooperation, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

The Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize was established by the Japanese government in 2006 in honour of Dr Hideyo Noguchi, a pioneering Japanese bacteriologist of legendary stature who died after contracting yellow fever in Accra, Ghana, in 1928. Nominations and supporting documentation for the maiden award are expected to be submitted by 10 July 2007. 30 April 30, 07