Professor Nobuyuki Nishikiori

Speciality / Research theme / Keywords

Global Health, Public health policies and strategy, Tuberculosis control, Social entrepreneurship

Supervision

Doctoral ProgrammeMasters Programme

Qualifications

• Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• MSc in Epidemiology
• MSc in Tropical Medicine and International Health
• PhD in Medicine (Epidemiology)
• Medical Doctor
  Certified Occupational Health Physician, Japan Medical Association

Research gate or Linked-in account links

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nobuyuki-Nishikiori

Background

• Founder and CEO, Glocal Commune, LLC, Japan (2022–Present)
• Medical Officer, WHO Headquarters, Global TB Programme, Switzerland (2017–2022)
• Coordinator, Tuberculosis and Leprosy, WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, Philippines (2014–2017)
• Medical Officer, WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, Philippines (2009–2013)
• Deputy Director, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan (2012–2013)
• Head of Emergency Field Office, UNICEF, Myanmar (2008)
• Programme Officer, Health & Nutrition, UNICEF, Myanmar (2005–2008)
• Assistant Professor, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Japan (2004–2005)
• Medical Doctor, Médecins Sans Frontières – France, Sri Lanka (2001–2002)
• Medical Doctor, Azusawa Hospital, Tokyo Japan (1996–2000)

Five MOST IMPORTANT/INTERESTING recent publications

1. Youngkong S, Kamolwat P, Wongrot P, Thavorncharoensap M, Chaikledkaew U, Nateniyom S, Pungrassami P, Praditsitthikorn N, Mahasirimongkol S, Jittikoon J, Nishikiori N, Garcia Baena I, Yamanaka T. Catastrophic costs incurred by tuberculosis affected households from Thailand’s first national tuberculosis patient cost survey. Sci Rep.2024; 14(1): 11205. 
2. Portnoy A, Yamanaka T, Nguhiu P, Nishikiori N, Garcia Baena I, Floyd K, Menzies NA. Costs incurred by people receiving tuberculosis treatment in low-income and middle-income countries: a meta-regression analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2023; 11(10): e1640-e1647.
3. Yamanaka T, Garfin AMC, Gaviola DMG, Arao RM, Morishita F, Hiatt T, Nishikiori N, Yadav RP. Scoring tools to identify TB patients facing catastrophic costs in the Philippines. Public Health Action.2023; 13(2): 53-59. 
4. Kilale AM, Pantoja A, Jani B, Range N, Ngowi BJ, Makasi C, Majaha M, Manga CD, Haule S, Wilfred A, Hilary P, Mahamba V, Nkiligi E, Muhandiki W, Matechi E, Mutayoba B, Nishikiori N, Ershova J. Economic burden of tuberculosis in Tanzania: a national survey of costs faced by tuberculosis-affected households. BMC Public Health. 2022; 22(1): 600.
5. Florentino JL, Arao RML, Garfin AMC, Gaviola DMG, Tan CR, Yadav RP, Hiatt T, Morishita F, Siroka A, Yamanaka T, Nishikiori N. Expansion of social protection is necessary towards zero catastrophic costs due to TB: The first national TB patient cost survey in the Philippines. PLOS ONE. 2022; 17(2): e0264689. 

Message

Today, global health stands at a critical crossroads.

In the face of pandemics, war, and the weakening of multilateralism and human rights frameworks, the world has grown more uncertain and divided. While the global community has made significant progress in addressing major global health issues such as maternal and child health, infectious diseases control, undernutrition, and vaccine coverage, recent conflicts and political instability have reversed these gains in many settings, undermining decades of effort. At the same time, we are now confronted by rapidly shifting aid landscapes and urgent planetary challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality.

This moment demands not only reflection on past achievements but also bold innovation, new alliances, and approaches that go beyond disciplinary and national boundaries. The future of global health lies in your ability to think across systems—health, environment, economy, and justice—and act in solidarity with those most affected.

Importantly, global health does not always begin with crossing borders. It begins in your own community—whether addressing migrant health, environmental justice, or inequality in access to care. Global health is local health somewhere.

In this era of uncertainty and transformation, global health demands not only scientific knowledge but also empathy, humility, and the courage to listen. You don’t have to travel far—the work of global health can begin right where you are.

The path ahead may not be easy, and the answers may not always be clear. But by holding onto your curiosity, compassion, and sense of justice, you can shape a more equitable and resilient world—one where the health and dignity of all people are protected.