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 these 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.

For the eighth episode of the series, we welcomed JOY, a model and TV personality who also serves as a "Stop TB Partnership Japan Volunteer Ambassador " and continues to raise awareness of tuberculosis.

JOY was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 25. At the time, he did not know the cause of his persistent cough, fever, and other symptoms. After visiting several hospitals, he was unable to receive the proper treatment until his lungs had become almost completely white on X-rays. Drawing on this difficult experience, he now serves as a "Stop TB Partnership Japan Volunteer Ambassador ", raising awareness of tuberculosis. In this discussion, JOY shared his thoughts as someone who has experienced tuberculosis, which still affects more than 10 million people and claims 1.2 million lives worldwide each year.

Together with Osamu Kunii, CEO of GHIT Fund, JOY discussed the continued need for better treatments and diagnostic tools, and reflected on the loneliness and anxiety he experienced while ill. His message, “Let’s face it together!!”, conveys both the importance of early detection and the value of facing the disease together.

Please take a look.

"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
"SDGs Talk" Global Health Discussion with Osamu Kunii - Vol. 6 – Kaori Futenma
"SDGs Talk" Global Health Discussion with Osamu Kunii - Vol. 7 – Kurara Chibana