The 11th Zero Malaria Award goes to Sysmex Corporation in recognition of contribution through the development and dissemination of a new malaria diagnostic device, the Automated Hematology Analyzer XN-31
The 11th Zero Malaria Award goes to Sysmex Corporation
in recognition of contribution through the development and dissemination of a new malaria diagnostic device, the Automated Hematology Analyzer XN-31
The Zero Malaria Special Award was awarded to the Asahi Shimbun Company
Malaria No More Japan (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Chairman of the Board: Takahiro Shinyo), announced that the 11th Zero Malaria Award is awarded to the Sysmex Corporation (Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture; President: Kaoru Asano) on the World Malaria Day, April 25.
Sysmex’s Automated Hematology Analyzer XN-31 is capable of measuring and quantitatively displaying infected red blood cells, including those infected with Plasmodium falciparum, and the measurement is fully automated, requiring no advanced skills and enabling highly sensitive testing in as little as one minute. The XN-31 is the first Class III medical device in Japan to be approved for use as a malaria diagnostic device (June 2020), and was recognized in the following year as a reference test method for reporting malaria patients under the Infectious Disease Control Law. The award was given in recognition of the evangelical impact the technology has had on the medical field as a diagnostic technology that leads to appropriate treatment and a favorable prognosis for malaria patients.
In accepting the award, the company commented, “Malaria is a disease for which early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the number of deaths, but collaboration and cooperation are essential in the fight against malaria. Sysmex view this award as an expectation for further contribution to achieving the goal of ‘Zero Malaria.’ We will continue to build on our partnership and promote the use of XN-31 as well as efforts to strengthen local healthcare systems.”
The Asahi Shimbun Company (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Executive Officer in charge of Editorial: Kengo Sakajiri) receives the “Zero Malaria Special Award” for its multifaceted reporting and dissemination of information on malaria control. In February 2023, the company launched “with Planet,” a new website reporting on global health and development issues in the world, and has been covering and disseminating its efforts to address the three major infectious diseases. In particular, with regard to malaria, in order to raise the interest of as many people as possible in the fight against the disease, the company has engaged in multifaceted coverage, including domestic and international, digital and print, and text and non-text coverage. We are pleased to present this year’s Special Award in recognition of their multifaceted coverage and reporting on malaria.
The award ceremony for the 11th Zero Malaria Award and Zero Malaria Special Award was held on May 8 at the following venue in Tokyo.
Malaria No More Japan, the only civil society organization in Japan specializing in malaria, hopes that the Zero Malaria Award will encourage more people to become aware of malaria and other infectious diseases and to take action.
What is the Zero Malaria Award?
Since its inception in 2014, the Zero Malaria Award has been presented to individuals and organizations in all fields that are involved in activities that contribute to the international community’s goal of achieving zero malaria by 2030. Please refer to the Appendix for past awards and visit the organization’s website for more information.
https://malarianomore.jp/archives/category/award
Comments from Sysmex Corporation
We are very honored to receive such a prestigious award. Sysmex has been dedicated to improving access to healthcare by leveraging its technologies cultivated in the testing and diagnostic fields such as hematology, developing products that are closely aligned with local medical issues, and developing local medical professionals. We believe that this award is in recognition of such efforts and the unique and innovative technology of the XN-31, which provides useful test results for malaria diagnosis quickly, easily, and with high accuracy.
Malaria is a disease for which early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the number of deaths, but collaboration and cooperation are essential in the fight against the disease. Sysmex view this award as an expectation for further contribution to achieving the goal of ‘Zero Malaria.’ We will continue to build on our partnership and promote the use of XN-31 as well as efforts to strengthen local healthcare systems. Sysmex will continue to focus on creating new value for a healthy society by contributing to solving global health issues and to achieving UHC.
(Photo: Sysmex’s malaria diagnostic device installed at a medical institution in Cote d’Ivoire)
Comments from The Asahi Shimbun Company
The Asahi Shimbun has covered and reported on malaria and other infectious diseases that affect the lives of people around the world. In February last year, we launched a new website “with Planet” within Asahi Shimbun Digital to report the global efforts to combat malaria, AIDS, and tuberculosis, the three major infectious diseases that still claim many lives worldwide, as well as the history of “war malaria” in Okinawa that should be handed down to future generations. In the morning edition of “GLOBE,” a special feature on malaria, we reported on the current state of malaria control in Kenya and the efforts of Japanese companies. In addition to the article, we held a session on “Climate Change and Infectious Diseases” using malaria as a starting point at the “Asahi World Forum,” which we hosted, in order to involve various stakeholders and seek solutions. We are very pleased to receive the “Zero Malaria Special Award” for these efforts. Encouraged by this recognition, we will continue to shed light on and report on malaria and other issues that need to be addressed on a global scale.”
Award Ceremony Outline
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Date: 11:00 – 11:30, May 8 (Wed.), 2024
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Venue: Kioi Conference Seminar Room, Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho
(1-4 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0094, Japan) -
Access：https://conference.tgt-kioicho.jp/access/
【For inquiries from the media regarding this award, please contact to】
Malaria No More Japan Secretariat
Email： info@malarianomore.jp
What is the Zero Malaria Award?
The Zero Malaria Award recognizes individuals and organizations that are working to eliminate malaria. The award was established in 2014 by Malaria No More Japan, to recognize individuals and organizations in all fields related to malaria, including those who not only implement specific support projects, but also conduct research, disseminate information, and create ideas to increase awareness of the word “malaria”.
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The 1st winner in 2014: JCI (Junior Chamber International) Japan
Recognition of longstanding activities in cooperation with JCI’s “Nothing But Nets” campaign to send mosquito nets to children in Africa -
The 2nd winner in 2015: Dr. Fumihiko Kawamoto, Professor Emeritus, Oita University
For the development of the acridine orange-stained microscopy method and for his world-renowned research on the molecular epidemiology of malaria and G6PD deficiency -
The 3rd winner in 2016: Dr. Jun Kobayashi, Professor, University of the Ryukyus
For his activities in Asia, including conducting activities in Laos for many years -
The 4th winner in 2017: Publication of “Challengers to Malaria Eradication” written by Eiiku Haibara which is published by Nanzansha
For the publication of the book “Challengers for Malaria Eradication,” which introduces the reality of malaria in war by carefully focusing on the so-called “war malaria” that remained until the end in Japan and the subsequent efforts to control malaria in Okinawa Prefecture. -
The 5th winner in 2018: Utasuke Katsura, Rakugo Storyteller
For disseminating information on malaria and diseases carried by mosquitoes through his creative rakugo story “Mosquito Sumo,” which was inspired by the Kyogen play “Mosquito Sumo,” through Japanese traditional entertainment. -
The 6th winner in 2019: Asian Medical Innovation Consortium (AMIC) Malaria Subcommittee
For specific efforts promoted by the AMIC to date in collaboration with industry, government, academia, and the private sector to control malaria in Asia and Africa. -
The 7th winner in 2020: Dr. Osamu Kunii, Director, Strategy, Investment and. Impact Division, Global Fund
For his long-standing contributions to the fight against infectious diseases and projects. -
The 8th winner in 2021: Dr. Mika Saito, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyu, Representative of NGO team“Gajan”
In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the elimination of malaria from Yaeyama, and for attempts to communicate the great achievement of malaria elimination. -
The 9th winner in 2022: Dr. Akira Kaneko, Specially Appointed Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Public University
In recognition of his field research over the past 37 years in North Sumatra, Indonesia, Vanuatu Islands, Papua New Guinea, Malawi, Zanzibar, and Lake Victoria, Kenya -
The 10th winner in 2023: Yaeyama Zero Malaria Monument Erection Association
In recognition of their publicity and resident hygiene activities to erect the “Yaeyama Zero Malaria Monument” in Inoda Rural Park in northern Ishigaki Island in 2022, to pass on the achievements made in Yaeyama to the next generation, to communicate them to the world, and to wish for peace without infectious diseases.
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Photo is the award ceremony for the 2023 award-winning organizations.
About Malaria No More Japan
Malaria No More Japan (MNMJ) was established in 2012 as the branch office of Malaria No More, headquartered in the United States, and is the only certified non-profit organization in Japan specializing in malaria. As an international NGO with branches in the United Kingdom as well as Japan, it aims to achieve a malaria-free world (= zero malaria).
The three pillars of our activities are policy advocacy, communication, and promotion of partnerships to achieve zero malaria.
MNMJ Website：https://malarianomore.jp/