Technical Working Group Workshop at RITM Balmis Conference Room

On March 4, 2019, a workshop for the Technical Working Group (TWG) was held in RITM at Balmis Conference room.  It was facilitated by Dr. Nobuo Saito, the Deputy Principal Investigator of the JAPOHR Project and Dr. Quiambao of the Clinical Research Division of RITM.  It was a 5hour workshop attended by Japanese and Filipino collaborators.  The aim of this TWG is to provide technical inputs towards the achievements of project expected outputs.  Such outputs are: (1) Novel diagnostic methods for rabies in canines and humans are established in testing facilities in the Philippines; (2) Rabies network model is developed in the target area of the project. (3).

There are 5 TWG: Animal rabies diagnosis; Human rabies diagnosis; rabies network model; RAPINA for human; and RAPINA for the animal.

Over the discussions, clearer group purpose was made in order to achieve the project target results.

Here are some of the images that took place on that day....

Indeed the project success is from the cooperative collaboration of Japanese and Filipino experts!

Meeting with GARC member in the Philippines

On 7th Feb, 2019

We have a meeting with GARC Philippines.
The aim of this meeting is to show JAPOHR project to them and to seek possible collaboration.

GARC (Global Alliance for rabies control) conducted great works in the Philippines.
A recent published paper by Chari Amparo et al described rabies situation in the Philippines.
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0199186#pone-0199186-g009
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0199186#pone-0199186-g009

GARC has conducted a community project in Muntinlupa.
Ms Chari explained their well-developed data system for rabies
https://rabiesalliance.org/news/garcs-new-community-based-rabies-surveillance-tool-released-testing-and-training   

Hope we can collaborate with them and their support for our project near future

1st Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting

1^st JCC meeting

On January 25, 2019, the 1^st Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting for “The Project for the Establishment of the One Health Prevention and Treatment Network Model for the Elimination of Rabies in the Philippines” was held. ( Somerset, Alabang, Muntinlupa, Metro Mania). 
JCC is an annual meeting to discuss the program status and the progress. 

Nearly forty (40)participants attended the meeting.
Research Institute for Tropical Medicine(RITM),  
Department of Health (DOH)
Department of Agriculture (DA) 
Japanese universities, Embassy and JICA.

Dr.Leda M. Hernandez, DOH acted as a chairperson and Dr. Mary G. Miranda was M.C. 
The opening part was a warm welcome of the chairperson and Mr. Tomoya Yoshida, JICA headquarters following Mr.Yohei Maruyama who explained on the SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) scheme. 

The speaker then was Dr.Beatriz P. Quiambao, Project manager, and Chief, CRD, RITM spoke current situation of rabies in the Philippines and challenges being faced and also mentioned expectations from the Project to address some of the issues through its implementation. 

Prof.Nishizono, Chief Advisor, and Professor, Oita University used a PowerPoint presentation to explain how efficiently the Project's introducing new diagnostic methods can be utilized in combination with one-health approach in the field of rabies elimination activities.

After the coffee break, Dr.Sheila Marie C. Esposo, RITM and Dr. Joely T. Ongtangco, RADDL3 who participated in a training course in Japan shared their experiences with JCC attendees. Dr. Kazunori Kimitsuki, Oita University presented previous activities.

One of the main agendas in the 1^st JCC was to attain consent on the proposed modification of PDM (Project Design Matrix). This task was taken by Dr.Nobuo Saito, Deputy Chief Advisor and Assistant Professor, Oita University. 
After several discussions,  finally, the chairperson asked attendees if the proposed modification, as well as the plan of activities in 2019, were in favour of approval, unanimous consent was attained.

Congratulations!! Hope successful outputs in five years.  

   

Merry Christmas and Happy new year soon

New staff joined our project as a secretary.
Her name is Ms Belle who has working experience in Singapore.
She is so delightful, charming and very friendly person.
She must contribute a lot to our project. Welcome, Belle!

We had a Christmas party with Tohoku group. They kindly invited us to join their party. Thank you very much always.
We are using their office space and follow their management. It is really really helpful for our project.

A happy new year soon!!



Christmath Party with Tohoku group
Tohoku students were firstly eating Baluto

Dr Quiambao visit to Oita University

On the 13rd Nov 2018
Dr Quiambao visited Oita University. 
Oita University firstly invited Dr Quiambao.
She met with Director (Dr Kitano) of Oitauniversity.
Then visited several departments in Oita University  (ER, Heliport to Doctor`s Helicopter, Radiology Department, Outpatient Department) 
She visited BSL3 laboratory specialized to rabies experiment. Only Oita University in Japan has BSL3 specifically used to rabies laboratory work.

On the 14th Nov, 2018
Dr Quiambao and Dr Saito visited ADTEC company Watanabe medical group located in Usa City, Oita Prefecture.
ADTEC produce various type of rapid diagnostic kits including human diagnosis and animal diagnosis.
Prof Nishizono and ADTEC collaboratively invented rabies diagnostic kit (antigen kit and antibody detection kit)
This company has great skill to make unique diagnostic kits which other companies are difficult to produce.
Our project strongly collaborates with ADTEC and try to achieve our target (elimination rabies). We are sure that Japanese medical companies can contribute to rabies control and elimination!


Courtesy court to President Dr Kitano


See doctor`s helicopter



University Hospital tour


Visit Rabies BSL3 laboratory


Visit ADTEC company

Dr Quiambao symposium speaker in The 9th ACIPD

1oth Nov ~ 12th Nov 2018
The 9th Asian Congress of Pediatric Infectious Diseases was held in Fukuoka, Japan.

Our Principal investigator, Dr Beatriz Quiambao in RITM, was invited as guest speaker of the symposium in the Congress.

Dr Quiambao explained the situation, the National Program and the challenges and necessary next steps.  Dr Quiambao also introduced our JAPOHR project.

Most audiences were impressive to her presentation and understood the difficult situation. Our project should tackle these problems together with many stakeholders.

Mr. Shimokawa starts to work as a Coordinator in our RITM SATREPS office from today.

After graduating from Miyazaki University, he participated in JOCV(Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers) in Malawi and had worked in 9 countries so far.

It is the second time for him to work in the Philippines. He worked in the Philippines 28 years ago as a JICA Senior Volunteer.

Upon having all the members joined, we should be running the Project at its's full strength from now on!