JAPOHR-Bulacan Meeting on Rabies suspect animal holding and observational facility (RHOF)

On the 19th November, Bulacan Provincial Veterinary Office and JAPOHR Project organized a meeting to discuss the "Rabies suspect animal holding and observational facility (RHOF)" in Max's Restaurant, Kapitolyo Branch.

JAPOHR project will provide and fund this facility to Bulacan provincial office.  

The aim of the provision of the facility is to tackle the existing problems in controlling rabies in the Philippines.
Problems
1. Many municipalities are not able to establish and maintain the dog impounding facilities
2. Too few rabies diagnostic facilities in the Philippines

New challenges of our project
1. Provincial district approach.
JAPOHR project will establish this facility to cover 6 municipalities (district level) organized by Province
2. Establish a remote diagnostic facility
The facility can be used as a remote diagnostic facility using our diagnostic kits.


In order to establish an ideal facility, we have to follow the national guideline and managements of other dog impounding facilities.

Therefore we invited DA-BAI (Dr. Daphne Jorca),
Dr. Ryan Manlapaz of San Fernando, Pampanga and Dr. Arvin Agapito of San Jose Del Monde, Bulacan.

Dr. Voltaire Basinang of the Provincial Veterinary Office is the Chairperson.
In this meeting, first  Dr. Nobuo Saito introduced the project and Mr. Koji Shimokawa discussed the plan and layout of the dog facility and the "dog transporter".  We had a useful discussion leading to the finalization of the design of the facility and the transportation vehicle. 

Meeting with Mayors Part 4 JAPOHR (Hagonoy Mayor Raulito T. Manlapaz, Sr.)

On the 28 the October, 2019 JAPOHR member met the Honourable Mayor Raulito T. Manlapaz, Sr. of the Municipality of Hagonoy with the Municipal Health Officer Dr. Rommel Pajela.  The Municipal Agriculturist Mr Florencio Sy-Tamco wasn't there but we are accommodated by the acting MAO Officer Ms. Christina ST. Manio.

The Mayor gave his word to support the project needs to make it successful.

Dr. Quiambao is also present to discuss the project with the Mayor.

Acting MAO Ms. Manio sharing her dog incident experience which makes her support strongly the importance of responsible dog ownership and makes sure dogs are safe to be living with the humans.

Meeting with Mayors Part 6 ( Bulakan Mayor Vergel C. Meneses)

One the 6th November 2019, the last municipality visited by the JAPOHR project was the Bulakan last November 6, 2019.  The Municipal Health Officer Dr. Elisa Villanueva.

Advisor of Mayor Meneses who are past Mayors and Vice Mayors were present also to welcome us.

All the staff and advisors of the Mayor are excited with the project.  Campaign on rabies and responsible pet ownership is very timely since too many dogs roaming around according to them.

Dr. Elisa shoed us the hospital and the services they offer for the municipality of Bulakan.

Meeting with Mayors Part 5 ( Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio C. Cruz, Jr.)

On the 6th Nov, 2019, JAPOHR team visited the Municipality of Guiguinto.
A short but brief introduction of the project to Mayor Ambrosio C. Cruz, Jr. was made possible by the assistance of the Municipal Health Officer Dr. Prima Leah Chua.  We also met the Municipal Veterinarian Dr. Eduardo P. Jose.

Dr, Manny Francisco of the Provincial Veterinary Office of PGB is also present to assist us during the meeting.

We visited the future dog pounding area of Guiguinto where the construction is about to start soon.

Meeting with Mayors Part 3 JAPOHR (Paombong Mayor Maryanne P. Marcos)

On the 28th Octber 2019, The JAPOHR Project had a meeting with Paombong Mayor, Hon. Maryanne P. Marcos at the Paombong Municipal Hall. Together in the meeting were the Municipal Health Officer Dr. Julio Garvida and Mr. Howell Bulaong of the Municipal Agriculturist Office.

JAPOHR project aims to establish Rabies network model in our target area. 6 municipalities (Calumpit, Puilan, Hagonoy, Bulacan. Guiguinto, Paombong) were chosen through the discussion with Bulacan provincial office. JAPOHR members meet with mayor and stakeholders in each municipality to explain our project and have a mutual discussion.

 They are very welcoming and showed all out support of the project.  They acknowledged the benefits of the project.  The good Mayor instructed her staff for better coordination and implementation of the project to the municipality.

Meeting with Mayors Part 2 (Pulilan: Mayor Rosario O. Montejo)

On 23rd October, we met with the Mayor in Pulilan  Rosario O. Montejo was held last Oct. 23, 2019.

JAPOHR project aims to establish Rabies network model in our target area. 6 municipalities (Calumpit, Puilan, Hagonoy, Bulacan. Guiguinto, Paombong) were chosen through the discussion with Bulacan provincial office. JAPOHR members meet with mayor and stakeholders in each municipality to explain our project and have a mutual discussion.

The Honorable Mayor was very interested and happy with the Project as it will benefit the community.  They also aim to eliminate the "Rabies" in the municipality.

Dr. Beatriz Quiambao of RITM explaining the JAPOHR Project.
Dr. Emmanuel Francisco represented the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Bulacan.

Dr. Patricia Lacanilao, the JAPOHR Veterinarian and Ms. Micah Salunga for the Dog Ecology Survey were present also.

Dr. Eleria showed us the facilities of the Pulilan Rural Health Unit (RHU)

JAPOHR scholarship student letter. Dr Demet Part 1

Japan is always special to me in a lot of sense. For instance, this was the first foreign county outside of the Philippines where I visited. I was first here way back in 2002 as a JICA trainee in Hokkaido. My training was all about basic laboratory procedures and research.

I do not know anything about research and how to operate laboratory equipment, even the simplest machine. However, I can say that during my training I discovered what I really wanted to do in life and that is to do experiments and research in general.



As a child, I am always amazed by science and sometimes do experiments for
fun. I returned home happy and contented with what I learned from Japan. However, as I advanced in my career back home, my responsibility shifted more on management, administrative work and other things that come with my position. Coming back here as a PhD student, I rediscovered my passion for science and my love for Japan. I am a little old to be just starting my PhD but the curiosity and love for discovery as a child stays with me and will never grow old.


However, my purpose of coming back here is a little more important than before and the reason for this is a disease called rabies. In my home country,
this disease takes away around 200-300 lives annually. Most of the victims did not seek medical attention immediately for some reason. I am assuming that some of them did not know that the dog that bit them have rabies. Had they known that the dog had rabies, perhaps they would have taken the situation seriously. This gap in diagnosis is one of the many gaps that Oita University is trying to fill in, and as a student and a collaborator, I am happy to be given the chance to contribute to this noble cause.

JAPOHR scholarship student letter. Dr Joy Part 1

One Step at a Time: Early Thoughts on My Nagasaki University Experience

Maria Glofezita O. Lagayan, DVM

October 15, 2019

“Ganbatte!” This phrase is also known as “Do your best!” in the English language, and was one of the words used by my friends when they found out I was accepted in Japan to pursue my graduate studies. I learned later that Ganbatte is not just a word to say good luck, congratulations, or best wishes, but a word dearly loved by the Japanese people because it denotes the idea of never giving up even in the face of adversity. Today, I am very blessed to have been accepted in Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA-SATREPS) long time training program course (International Health Development Course – MPH) under “The Project for the Establishment of the One Health Prevention and Treatment Network Model for Elimination of Rabies in the Philippines.” During this time, I would like to apply the same mindset of “Ganbatte” and push towards the goal of completing my studies despite the long distance away from my family, the hard work associated with the study, and all challenges that may come my way.

Nagasaki City is truly a long way from home. Upon my arrival, I was fascinated by the city’s crisp, clean and serene environment surrounded by green mountains lined with modern and traditional houses; charming trams passing through the middle of busy roads alongside cars and buses operated by very polite drivers; and people of all ages strolling on the seemingly endless rows of walkways, up and down the wide but steep pathways and stairs of the city. I sometimes wonder, is this all for real? How did I get here? If I blink or sleep, will I still be in this surreal place? One thing I know for sure, I am ever grateful for both JICA and the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry for this opportunity! It is such an honour to be learning from field experts of public and global health of Nagasaki University; to take this knowledge home with me to the Philippines to apply and share it with the rest of my colleagues so we can improve our animal health programs, especially rabies; and simultaneously enjoy Japanese culture and food whilst learning. In my short three weeks of stay here, I have already met a bunch of wonderful, dynamic and kind-hearted people – my professors who made me better appreciate epidemiology and statistics in a level that I can really understand; classmates of different race and background, with their own uniqueness and vulnerabilities; university staff that is ever patient and helpful; and most importantly the small group of Filipinos who have welcomed me openly without reservations. In all of these, I believe this is just the start of a new beginning. Every step I take in and out, up and down the winding steps of the city road going to and from the University are hopefully akin to the same step I will make in the completion of my goals – slowly, surely, patiently, with prayers, and unceasingly... one step at a time.

Meeting with Mayors Part 1 ( Calumpit Mayor Jessie P. de Jesus)

On the 14th Octob14, 2019, the JAPOHR project had a meeting with the Mayor of Calumpit, Bulacan, Honorable Jessie. P.  de Jesus.

The team was warmly welcomed by the Honorable Mayor.  He was very positive with what the project could bring to the municipality.  He accepted the project proposal that will benefit both human and animal.

JAPOHR project aims to establish Rabies network model in our target area. 6 municipalities (Calumpit, Puilan, Hagonoy, Bulacan. Guiguinto, Paombong) were chosen through the discussion with Bulacan provincial office. JAPOHR members meet with mayor and stakeholders in each municipality to explain our project and have a mutual discussion.

Together in the meeting is the Calumpit Municipal Health Officer Dr. Rizalie Lucas and Municipal Agriculturist Ms. Jennifer Cabildo.  RITM was represented by Dr. Beatriz Quiambao.  Dr. Manny Francisco from Bulacan Provincial Veterinary Office is also present.  From the JAPOHR project are Dr. Nobuo Saito and Mr. Koji Shimokawa.  The meeting is a good start of the success of the project.  With the support of the Mayor, project implementation will be effective.

World Rabies Day 2019 Celebration

World Rabies Day is held every 28th of September worldwide.  This year celebration in the Philippines was hosted by Department of Education (DepEd) last Sept 30, 2019 at the Bulawagan ng Karunungan, Department of Education, Meralco Ave., Pasig City.

   

A total of 200 participants is expected including representatives from Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior and Local Government, members of National Rabies Prevention and Control Committee and awardees.

JAPOHR project supported this event and advertise our project to all participants. During the event, Dr Daphnee (DA-BAI) introduce RaDSS and show the promotion video. All participants are excited to watch the promotion video of RaDSS.

JAPOHR project will continue to support this kind of activities (national level rabies activity)

Well attended event

 Booths were outside to promote and support the Rabies Campaign. 

The JAPOHR Booth

Dr. Saito with the JAPOHR pamphlet and foldable fan giveaways.

The JAPOHR Team

RaDSS creators behind the Rabies Data Share System (RaDSS)!
RaDSS was featured also in this event.

Rabies Prevention and Control Program Stakeholders’ Meeting

"Rabies Prevention and Control Program Stakeholders’ Meeting" was held in Bataan on the 24, 25, 26, 27th September.

This  Meeting aims to strengthen the working relationship, coordination and partnership among the various stakeholders working on rabies prevention and control as well as develop a strategic framework for the prevention and control of rabies in the Philippines that will be integrated into the NRPCC plan.

Participants: Participants to this meeting include program managers and technical staff from World Health Organization (WHO),  Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI), GARC and other NRPCC members. Rabies coordinators (DA and DOH) from all regions joined the meeting.

JAPOHR project supported this activity and Dr Saito present our projects in the meeting. Many participants from regions showed interests in our projects.
Hope near future we can expand our project to other regions and can work together.

Consultative Meeting of the Bulacan JAPOHR Project

A consultative Meeting was held last September 24, 2019 in the Provincial Province of Bulacan.  The event took place in the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center at Mariano ponce Hall.

Representatives from the Provincial Governor and Vice Governor were present to support the event. This event is a good chance to gather all the municipalities representatives from the Municipal Health Office and the Provincial Veterinary Office where the project activities will take place.  Everyone is positive with the project presentation.  They are all willing to support.

    The attendees listening attentively with all the speakers.

Welcome remarks from the Office of the Vice Governor by Rep. Cris Roque.

Inspirational Message from the Office of the Governor delivered by Dr. Jocelyn Gomez of MHO.

Ms. Annie Balingit of MHO, Bulacan presented the participants. and presented the situation of rabies in Bulacan from the human sector.

Dr. Voltaire reporting the rabies situation in Bulacan from the perspective of animal sector.

Dr. beatriz Quiambao on the brief background of the JAPOHR project.

Dr. Saito discussing more of the JAPOHR project and the Rabies Data Share System.

MOA explained by Mr. Koji Shimokawa.

JAPOHR JAPAN meeting in Fukuoka

On August 26th, JAPOHR's ​​Japanese researchers gathered in Fukuoka to discuss the progress of the research so far and discuss future plans.

Participants were able to have beneficial discussions.
In particular,  we could share information and future actions of the One Health approach, which is the main theme of this project.

It was the first time to gather all the Japanese members related to this project. Therefore, I felt we need to have such meetings regularly.

We would like to express our gratitude to all concerned.

 Back row: Dr. Mariko Obata-Saito, Dr. Satoshi Inoue, Dr. Kentaro Yamada, Dr. Nobuo Saito, Dr. Kazunori Kimitsuki

Front row: Dr. Chun-Ho Park, Dr. Akira Nishizono, Dr. Motoi Suzuki

 Dr. Nishizono explains an overview of the project

After meeting, we had a delicious dinner with a drink

10 Students of Kanazawa University visited RITM on August 23, 2019

Last August 23, 2019, students from Kanazawa University visited the RITM facilities.  The students are visiting the Philippines to learn about the current medical care of the country through field visits and also to understand the problems that people in the Philippines have and what they need to solve it.

Dr. Saito explained the JAPOPHR Project to the students.  They also have a brief introduction of the RITM through video shows.

Dr. Timothy Dizon of the Medical Department of RITM helped facilitate the tour together with Dr. Saito and Dr. Kimitsuki.  They visited the ABTC. ER, Hospital; Rabies Patient Room and the VRD.  A short background of each area was discussed to them to help understand how the institution works.

As the students leave the RITM, they are thankful with new learning that they can bring back to their university.