Princess Ameerah Pledges Support for Noguchi

Princess Ameerah (left) with Juliana Azumah Mensah and staff of Noguchi taking a tour of the 'Prince Al-Waleed Clinical Research Center'.

PRINCESS AMEERAH Al-Taweel, wife of Saudi Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, has pledged her support for the construction of new laboratories and office space at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.

The new facilities, when constructed will aid in accommodating research into various infectious and non-infectious diseases, malnutrition as well as environmental issues.

Princess Ameerah, who is also Vice President of the Al-Waleed Foundation, expressed joy at the achievements of Noguchi when she visited the institute as part of her two-day visit to Ghana.

She said the institute's research had not only been significant in the field of medical science but also to, 'countless human beings not only in Ghana, but throughout Africa and the rest of the world.'

The princess praised the institute for their on going research into malaria vaccines which is aimed at preventing malaria infection.

She said despite a number of preventive measures that have been applied, malaria sill accounts for the death of hundreds of thousands of people therefore Noguchi's efforts in developing a vaccine to combat it is laudable.

'Noguchi Institute would surely have the gratitude of all mankind,' Princess Ameerah observed.

Professor Alexander Nyarko, Director of the Noguchi Institute, welcoming the princess, extended his greetings to Prince Al-Waleed Al-Saud.

Professor Nyarko said the institute, through a cash donation of

$600,000 from Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud when he visited the country in 2003 had been able to construct a clinical research facility.

He further noted that the building, which was named 'Prince Al-Waleed Clinical Research Center' and inaugurated by the prince, has enhanced the undertaking of clinical trials of drugs and vaccines as well as solved one of the immediate needs of the institute.

Professor Nyarko therefore extended his gratitude to the Prince and the Al-Waleed Foundation for their kindness and generosity and hoped the visit will further consolidate the friendship between the two organizations.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ernest Aryeetey and the Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, Juliana Azumah Mensah were also present to grace the occasion.

 By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri