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 sixth installment of the series, singer-songwriter Kaori Futenma joins as a guest to share reflections and stories she has heard about neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in her hometown of Okinawa. She also offered a special performance, sharing her warm and expressive singing voice. Ms. Futenma speaks about how Okinawa’s strong sense of community and mutual support—known locally as the Yuimaaru spirit—played a vital role in the postwar elimination of malaria and lymphatic filariasis in the region. Together with Kunii, she reaffirms the importance of “rising awareness, fostering empathy, and putting that empathy into action in each of our fields”.

Accompanied by piano, Ms. Futenma performs “Mamoritai Mono,” a song that reflects human warmth and the bonds that grow from it—an especially memorable piece for Kunii. We invite you to experience this heartfelt conversation and the exclusive musical performance featured only in this episode.

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
"SDGs Talk" Global Health Discussion with Osamu Kunii - Vol. 5 – Ryota Fujimaki