Many people around the world are suffering from neglected diseases. There are not enough products for disease treatment or prevention and the diseases receive insufficient attention, so those afflicted with the diseases are being left behind.

One of the targets of Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to "end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases," but the efforts made to achieve this target are still lacking.

The GHIT Fund supports the product development of drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for malaria, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases. Through a global partnership between the public and private sectors, it is working to resolve the issues involved in this.

To spread awareness of these neglected diseases, the GHIT Fund has launched "SDGs Talk" a series of global health discussions with GHIT Fund CEO Osamu Kunii. In these discussions, Dr. Kunii invites guests to share information on aspects of the current global health situation and to think together about how to address global issues.

In the fifth installment of the series, we welcome musician Ryota Fujimaki as our guest, with the program presented in two parts (Parts 1 and 2), featuring his special live acoustic performances.

Connected through the first episode’s guest, alpinist Ken Noguchi, Fujimaki and GHIT CEO Osamu Kunii reflect on the story of the elimination of schistosomiasis in Fujimaki’s hometown of Yamanashi Prefecture long ago—a historic achievement that left a strong impression on Ryota Fujimaki. They also discuss the significance of the principle. “No One Left Behind.”

The song “Hakanaku Moroi Mono”, which Fujimaki composed with Kunii in mind, expresses his feelings about the preciousness of life—something to be cherished and passed on across generations and beyond borders.

Please enjoy this special dialogue along with an exclusive live acoustic performance.

Please watch the video (available only in Japanese).

Part 1: Now available – please watch.

Part 2: Coming Soon.

Please also take a look. (Videos are only in Japanese.)

"SDGs Talk" Global Health Discussion with Osamu Kunii - Vol. 1 – Ken Noguchi

"SDGs Talk" Global Health Discussion with Osamu Kunii - Vol. 2 – Sawako Agawa

"SDGs Talk" Global Health Discussion with Osamu Kunii - Vol. 3 – Jun Hori

"SDGs Talk" Global Health Discussion with Osamu Kunii - Vol. 4 – Keiko Kojima