Japan, through JICA, collaborates with various international entities to enhance its health interventions in Nigeria. While many of JICA’s projects are independently funded by the Japanese Government, the agency actively seeks opportunities for co-financing and partnerships to maximise the impact of its initiatives. This collaborative approach ensures that JICA’s interventions are well-coordinated and aligned with broader global health goals.
Key partnerships include the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI), which address critical health challenges such as infectious diseases and immunisation and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which brings together public-sector, private-sector and academic partners to accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging viral threats. JICA’s co-financing and joint initiatives, like the $350 million loan agreement with the African Development Bank, leverage additional resources and expertise, enhancing the scope and effectiveness of health sector projects. JICA’s partnerships with organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are crucial for implementing comprehensive health programmes, particularly in regions affected by conflict and displacement.
These collaborations focus on improving healthcare access, constructing and rehabilitating facilities, and training healthcare workers. For instance, JICA and IOM have launched initiatives to improve healthcare access for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in north-eastern Nigeria, focusing on the construction and rehabilitation of healthcare facilities and training healthcare workers. JICA’s collaborative efforts are strategically aligned with global health goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The agency’s focus on maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and health system strengthening is in line with the global agenda for universal health coverage (UHC).