Mari NAGAI, MD, MPH, PhD

 As of 1st July 2024

Deputy director, Division of Partnership Development,
Department of Global Network and Partnership

Area of expertise

Health system strengthening especially human resource for health to achieve universal health coverage, Reproductive, maternal and newborn health, Global health

Fellow of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine

Message

Mari Nagai has over 25 years of experience in global health in Pacific, Asia, Middle East and African countries including conflict and post-conflict area. Throughout her career Dr Nagai has worked to improve access to health care for vulnerable, isolated populations and those marginalized either socially or geographically because she believes in the rights of everyone to health.

Long-term overseas experiences

International committee membership

Awards

• 2002 Fulbright scholar (Graduate study program)
• 2003 Refugee health award, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• 2003 Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health, Alpha Chapter
• 2009 JAIH Young Professional Award

Publication list

■Journal articles

1. Mari Nagai, Miyuki Oikawa, Tomoko Komagata, Josué Désiré Bapitani Basuana, Gérard Kahombo Ulyabo, Yui Minagawa, Sadatoshi Matsuoka, Yuriko Egami, Mari Honda & Toyomitsu Tamura. Clinical competency of nurses trained in competency-based versus objective-based education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a qualitative study. Hum Resour Health 2024;22: 38
   https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-024-00921-0
2. Ikemoto M, Inoue N, Yambii O, Serdamba D, Demberel B, Manlai M, Batchuluun B, Demchig D, Ulam-Orgikh N, Purvee E, Nagai M. Issues in enhancing continuing professional development for midwives in clinical practice in Mongolia. Global Health & Medicine 2023;5(5):311-315
   doi: 10.35772/ghm.2023.01027
3. Tamura T, Bapitani D, Kahombo G, Minagawa Y, Matsuoka S, Oikawa M, Egami Y, Honda M, Nagai M : Comparison of the clinical competency of nurses trained in competency-based and object-based approaches in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A cross-sectional study. Global Health & Medicine; 2023;5(3):142-150
   doi: 10.35772/ghm.2023.01026
4. Thandar M, Obaidur R Md , Haruyama R , Matsuoka S, Okawa S, Moriyama J, Yokobori Y, Matsubara C, Nagai M, Ota E ,Baba T: Effectiveness of infection control teams in reducing healthcare-associated infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health ;2022;19:17075
   https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192417075
5. Honda M, Inoue N, Liverani M, et Nagai M: Lessons learned from the history of postgraduate medical training in Japan:from disease centred care to patient centred care in an aging society. Human Resources for Health; 2022;20:54
   https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-022-00752-x
6. T Kitamura, H Obara, M　Honda, T Mori, T Ito, M Nagai, S Rattana, T Rathavy, Y Sugiura. : Early essential newborn care in national tertiary hospitals in Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic: a cross sectional study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2022; 22:745
   https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-05056-5
7. A. D Weeks, O.I.Akinola, M. Amorim, B. Carvalho, C. Deneux-Tharaux, T. Liabsuetrakul, M. Meremikwu, S. Miller, A. Nabhan, M Nagai, H. Wahabi, D.Walker.: World Health Organization recommendation for using uterine balloon tamponade to treat postpartum hemorrhage. Obstet Gynecol. 2022;139(3):458-462.
   https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000004674
8. Fujita M, Matsuoka S, Kiyohara H, Nagai M, Hachiya M,Fujita N et al: “Staying at home” to tackle COVID-19 pandemic: Rhetoric or Reality? Cross-cutting analysis of nine population groups vulnerable to homelessness in Japan. Tropical Medicine and Health; 2020;48(92)
   http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s41182-020-00281-0
9. Nagai M, Oikawa M, Tamura T, Egami Y, Fujita N: Can we apply lessons learned from Ebola experience in West Africa for COVID-19 in lower income countries? Global Health & Medicine; 2020; 2(2):140-141
   https://doi.org/10.35772/ghm.2020.01028
10. Nagai M, Bellizzi S, Murray J, Kitong J, Cabral E, Howard S. : Opportunities lost: Barriers to increasing the use of effective contraception in the Philippines. PLoS ONE ;2019: 14(7): e0218187.
    https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218187
11. Xu T, Tomokawa S, Gregorio ER Jr, Mannava P, Nagai M, Sobel H. School-based interventions to promote adolescent health: A systematic review in low- and middle-income countries of WHO Western Pacific Region. PLoS One;2020 ;15(3):e0230046
    https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230046
12. COVID-19 Research Prioritization Group on MNCAH.: Global research priorities on COVID-19 for maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health. J Glob Health 2021;11:05026
    https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.11.04071
13. Honda A, Krucien N, Ryan M, Diouf I, Salla M, Nagai M,Fujita N: For more than money: willingness of health professionals to stay in remote Senegal. Human Resources for Health; 2019; 17 (28)
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-019-0363-7
14. Bellizzi S, Mannava P, Nagai M, Sobel H.: Reasons for discontinuation of contraception among women with a current unintended pregnancy in 36 low and middle-income countries. Contraception. 2019; 101(1).
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2019.09.006
15. Zhang L, Tao Y , Woodring J , Rattana K, Sovannarith S, Rathavy T, Cheang K, Hossain S, Ferradini L, Deng S, Sokun C, Samnang C, Nagai M, Ru Lo Y, Ishikawa N. Integrated approach for triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis is highly effective and cost-effective: an economic evaluation. International Journal of Epidemiology;2019: 48(4)
    https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyz037
16. Kojo T, Nagai M, Salla M, Diouf I, Fujita N: Retention of qualified health professionals in rural areas: a case control study. Africa Health; 2018; 40 (4); 21-25
17. Woodring J, Ishikawa N, Nagai M, et al. : Integrating HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis screening and treatment through the maternal, newborn and child health platform to reach global elimination targets. WPSAR;2017; 8(4)
18. Nagai M, Fujita N, IS Diouf, M Salla: Retention of qualified health workers in rural Senegal: lessons learned from a qualitative study. Rural and Remote Health; 2017;4149
    https://doi.org/10.22605/rrh4149
19. Fujita N, Nagai M, et al.: The role of a network of human resources for health managers in supporting leadership for health systems strengthening in Francophone African countries. Health Systems & Reform; 2016
    https://doi.org/10.1080/23288604.2016.1220778
20. Matsuoka S, Obara H, Nagai M, Murakami H, Chan Lon R. Performance-based financing with GAVI health system strengthening funding in rural Cambodia: a brief assessment of the impact. Health Policy and Planning; 2013; 29(4);456-465.
    https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czt030
21. Kitamura T, Obara H, Takashima Y, Takahashi K, Inaoka K, Nagai M, Endo H, Jimba M, Sugiura Y . World Health Assembly Agendas and trends of international health issues for the last 43 years: Analysis of World Health Assembly Agendas between 1970 and 2012. Health Policy; 2013; 110: 198-206.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2012.12.008
22. Fujita N, Zwi A, Nagai M, Akashi H. A comprehensive framework for human resources for health system development in fragile and post-conflict states. PLoS Med 2011, 8(12):e1001146.
    https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001146
23. Nagai M, Karunakara U, Rowley E, Burnham G. Violence against refugees, non-refugees and host populations in southern Sudan and northern Uganda. Global Public Health 2008;3(3):249-270.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/17441690701768904
24. Nagai M, Sandirasegaram A, Okamotoa M, Kita E, Aoyama A. Reconstruction of health service systems in the post-conflict Northern Province in Sri Lanka. Health Policy 2007; 83: 84-93.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2006.12.001

Major contribution to WHO guidelines/publications

1. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Regional Framework to Shape a Health Workforce for the Future of the Western Pacific. 2024
2. World Health Organization. WHO recommendation on assessment of postpartum blood loss and use of a treatment bundle for postpartum haemorrage. Geneva. 2023
3. World Health Organization Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (WHO/SRH) and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs (CCP), Knowledge SUCCESS. Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers (2022 update). Baltimore and Geneva: CCP and WHO; 2022.
4. World Health Organization. WHO recommendation on uterine balloon tamponade for the treatment of postpartum haemorrihage. Geneva. 2021
5. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Meeting Report for the virtual Expert Consultation on Viral Hepatitis Elimination in the Western Pacific Region. 2020.
6. World Health Organization. WHO recommendation on routes of oxytocin administration for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal birth. Geneva. 2020
7. World Health Organization. WHO recommendation on umbilical vein injection of oxytocin for the treatment of retained placenta. Geneva. 2020
8. World Health Organization. WHO recommendation on advance misoprostol distribution to pregnant women for prevention of postpartum haemorrhage. Geneva. 2020
9. World Health Organization. Contraceptive eligibility for women at high risk of HIV. Guidance statement: recommendations on contraceptive methods used by women at high risk of HIV. Geneva. 2019
10. World Health Organization. WHO recommendations non-clinical interventions to reduce unnecessary caesarean sections. Geneva. 2018
11. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Regional framework for the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis in Asia and the Pacific, 2018-2030. Manila. 2018
12. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Second biennial progress report 2016-2017. (2018)
13. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Introducing and sustaining EENC in hospitals: kangaroo mother care for pre-term and low-birthweight infants. (Early Essential Newborn Care, Module 4). (2018).
14. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Annual implementation review and planning guide: Early Essential Newborn Care, Module 1. (2018)
15. World Health Organization. WHO recommendations. Intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience (2018). Name is mentioned in the document
16. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Maternal Health Care: Policies, Technical Standards and Service Accessibility in Eight Countries in the Western Pacific Region (2018)
17. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Prevent unwanted pregnancy: An infographic on the most effective types of contraception (2018)
18. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Annual implementation review and planning guide (Early Essential Newborn Care, Module 1). (2018).
19. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis (Resolution) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, 068 (WPR/RC68.R2), 2017
20. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Prevent unwanted pregnancy: Abortion in the Western Pacific Region. Infographics (2017)
21. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Cambodia : Identifying actions for scaling up long-acting reversible contraception (2017)
22. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. The First Embrace Video, The universal first act of love (2017)
23. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Papua New Guinea : actions for scaling up long-acting reversible contraception (2017)
24. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Expert consultation on triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HI, hepatitis B and syphilis in the Wesetern Pacific (2017)
25. World Health Organization. WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience (2016). Name is mentioned in the document
26. Trends in maternal mortality: 1990 to 2015: estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division (2016). Name is mentioned in the document
27. Office for the Western Pacific. First biennial progress report: action plan for healthy newborn infants in the Western Pacific Region (2014-2020) (2016)
28. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Introducing and sustaining EENC in hospitals: Routine childbirth and newborn care (Early Essential Newborn Care, Module 3) (2016)
29. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Coaching guide for the first embrace: facilitator’s guide (Early Essential Newborn Care, Module 2) (2016)
30. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. The First Embrace Video, year 2 (2016)
31. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Thefirstembrace.org Website (2015)

Major contribution to the Global Fund publications:

1. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Global Fund Mapping Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Component of the Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) Investments. Geneva, 2023
2. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Evaluation on Community Engagement and Community-led Responses Secretariat-led with TERG oversight (CE- CLR). Geneva, 2023
3. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Evaluation of Data-Driven Decision-Making. Geneva, 2023
4. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Review of Global Heath Security (Pandemic Preparedness and Response) – Secretariat-led with TERG oversight. Geneva, 2022
5. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Evaluation of Accelerating the Equitable Deployment of and Access to Innovations. Geneva, 2022
6. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Evaluation of the wambo.org pilot for non-Global Fund financed orders. Geneva, 2022
7. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Evaluation of the Global Fund’s Performance in Challenging Operating Environments (COE). Geneva, 2022
8. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Review of Tuberculosis Prevention. Geneva, 2022
9. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Review of Strategic Initiatives. Geneva, 2022
10. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Review of Multi-Country Catalytic Investment Grants. Geneva, 2022
11. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Review of Global Heath Security (Pandemic Preparedness and Response) – Secretariat-led with TERG oversight. Geneva, 2022
12. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Prospective Country Evaluation Extension Synthesis Report. Geneva, 2022
13. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Review on HIV Primary prevention. Geneva, 2021
14. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group Position Paper: Prospective Country Evaluations. Geneva, 2021
15. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Prospective Country Evaluations Synthesis Report 2021. Geneva, 2021
16. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group Position Paper: Strategic Review 2020. Geneva. 2020
17. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Review on the Role of the Private Sector in Program Delivery. Geneva, 2021
18. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Review on Sustainability, Transition and Co-Financing Policy. Geneva. 2020
19. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic Review of Marketing Shaping Strategy (Mid-Term). Geneva. 2019
20. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group. Thematic review of the Global Fund country level technical support partnership model. Geneva. 2019
21. Global Fund. Technical Evaluation Reference Group, Thematic review of resilient and sustainable systems for health. Geneva. 2019

Books

1. Health Handbook for Vietnamese Migrant Workers in Japan. Migrant Health Working Group, Vietnam. 2022

Translation of WHO documents into Japanese

1. Global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery 2021-2025. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021.
2. State of the world's nursing 2020: investing in education, jobs and leadership. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020.
3. WHO recommendations: intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018.