Friends of the Global Fund, Japan (FGFJ) took seven members of the FGFJ Diet Task Force on a site visit to Zambia from August 9-14, 2025, to witness the results of the Global Fund’s support firsthand. They also observed activities aimed at ensuring the sustainability of infectious disease control, collaboration with partners, including Japan’s bilateral support, and the use of health products from Japanese companies. In addition, the Diet Task Force members engaged in discussions with community-based volunteers who play an important role in Zambia’s response and prevention efforts toward infectious disease, and innovative youth-friendly activities led by their peers.
PARTICIPATING MEMBERS
- Ichiro AISAWA, Member, House of Representatives (Liberal Democratic Party); Co-Chair of the FGFJ Diet Task Force
- Karen MAKISHIMA, Member, House of Representatives (Liberal Democratic Party)
- Kazuhiro FUJII, Member, House of Councillors (Liberal Democratic Party)
- Kozo AKINO, Member, House of Councillors (Komeito Party)
- Kureha OTSUKI, Member, House of Representatives (Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan)
- Mari TAKAGI, Member, House of Councillors (Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan)
- Toru FUKUTA, Member, House of Representatives (Democratic Party for the People)
KEY VISITS AND MEETINGS
- Meeting with Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Elijah Muchima
- Visit to the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) and its affiliated laboratory
- Visit to the National Malaria Elimination Center
- Visit to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH)
- Visit to the National Heart Hospital
- Meeting with officials from the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ, the principal recipient of Global Fund funding) and a tour of the laboratory and warehouse
- Visit to Kanyama Level One Hospital and meetings with participants from the JICA Technical Cooperation Projects: “Project for Strengthening Laboratory Surveillance for Infectious Diseases” and “Project for Strengthening the Management Capacity of General Hospitals in Lusaka District”
- Visit to Bauleni Health Centre, a project site of a Japanese NGO called Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association (JATA)
- Interviews with tuberculosis survivors and HIV-positive people receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at ZATULET Clinic
- Performance of the HIV-related play “We Die Young” by the Adaptive Adolescent and Young People (AYP) at Chilenje Community Hall
- Meeting with National Health Insurance Scheme officials
- Meeting with the Ambassador of Japan to Zambia, Kazuyuki Takeuchi
- Visit to the Hokkaido University International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Zambia Office, and the JICA Technical Cooperation Project “Clinical Studies Enhancement Project for School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia” (only Councilman Kozo Akino)
