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.