Japan partners with Unitaid to strengthen global health efforts for women and children

Unitaid welcomes a new commitment from the Government of Japan, which has pledged US$7.2 million to advance lifesaving health innovations for women and children.

This investment will help close critical health gaps for vulnerable populations by expanding access to infant respiratory care in emergency settings, including South Sudan, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine, Gaza, and the West Bank. It will also accelerate cervical cancer screening and treatment efforts in high-burden regions.

“Japan is proud to support Unitaid’s efforts to improve maternal and child health globally,” said Dr. IMANISHI Nobuharu, Ambassador for Global Health Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and a Unitaid Executive Board member. “By investing in innovative health solutions, we are reinforcing our commitment to universal health coverage and ensuring that life-saving interventions reach those who need them most. Our partnership with Unitaid reflects Japan’s dedication to building stronger, more resilient healthcare systems for the world’s most vulnerable populations.”

Each year, nearly five million children die before their first birthday due to respiratory complications – many of them preventable with timely access to medical oxygen. In low-resource settings, lifesaving equipment is often unaffordable, unavailable, or not designed for infants. With Japan’s support, Unitaid and partners will deploy affordable, electricity-free bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure devices to deliver essential oxygen therapy to newborns in need.

“Too many women and children are dying from preventable causes due to lack of basic health care. This must change,” said Unitaid Executive Director Philippe Duneton. “Japan’s support comes at a critical moment, helping deliver lifesaving innovations – from newborns struggling to breathe to women at risk of cervical cancer. By scaling up these solutions, we are not just saving lives today – we are strengthening communities for generations to come.”

The investment will also strengthen Unitaid’s efforts to stop cervical cancer before it starts in low- and middle-income countries, where over 90% of fatalities occur. By supporting national programs in the Latin America and  Caribbean and Asia-Pacific regions, this funding will expand access to quality-assured tests that detect HPV – the virus that causes cervical cancer – and ensure the availability of cost-effective, battery-powered handheld devices to remove pre-cancerous lesions.

Investing in women’s health creates far-reaching benefits that extend beyond individual lives – it keeps families intact, strengthens economies, and builds healthier, more prosperous societies. Ensuring that children are born healthy and have access to essential care lays the foundation for stronger communities and a future where no one is left behind.