Sowing the seeds of future international cooperation： KCCP 'Infection prevention and control' course

What lifestyle habits are important to avoid catching a cold? Gargling, washing hands, eating properly, sleeping well... For us Japanese, these are things we have been taught since primary school.
What about in the countries of the KCCP participants?
To learning about the situation of health education in Japanese primary schools, and to let Japanese children know about countries around the world, 14 medical professionals participating in the KCCP "Infection Prevention and Control" course visited a Saturday class at Akatsutsutsumi Primary School in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo.

On 11 (Sat) November, Saturday classes were being held at Setagaya Ward Akatsutsutsutsumi Elementary School for a study presentation. The participants heard about health education, health check-ups and the role of the infirmary at the school from Ms. Takahashi, a nursing teacher. Afterwards, they were guided on a tour of the school by Ms. Horie, and were shown the infirmary, lunchroom, and the 4th grade class, where handwashing was being taught. The children sang the 'hand-washing song' and enjoyed learning how to wash their hands properly. The KCCP participants also started singing along. One of them even took a video, saying, "I want to teach this song to the children in my country."

This KCCP course composed of fourteen participants from 12 countries - Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guyana, Laos, Marshall Islands, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zambia.
In the second period, the participants introduced 'My Country, My Dream' to the Grade 6 pupils. Some of the participants wearing their national dress for the day. The 6 graders asked many questions as they were introduced to their country's location, flag, local cuisine, world heritage, rich flora, and fauna, etc.
The 6 graders listened intently to the introduction of the story of "My dream". 'It was my dream to become a doctor since a doctor cured of my mother’s illnesses. My dream came true, and I was working in a hospital as a doctor. But there are people who come to the hospital with a cold, but in the hospital, they get a much more serious illness. It was very difficult during the outbreak of the COVID-19 infection. It's my dream now to make sure that doesn't happen again."
When one of the pupils who thanked them said, "I have never been particularly interested in working in the medical field, but today's talk made me want to look into it.” The faces of the participants brightened up.

During the third period, the students observed a study presentation being held in the gymnasium. The works created by the pupils in arts & crafts and home economics were displayed very beautifully. Several Year 6 pupils took the opportunity to give us a tour. The KCCP participants were very happy to find a doctor in their arts & crafts clay work 'Dreams of the future'.
“I was very happy and proud to be able to introduce my country's culture and what we value to Japanese schoolchildren today," said one of the participants. “In the classroom and in this exhibition, I could see how everyday learning is built up and I could understand how wonderful school education is in Japan." “It's very important to learn about hygiene and health correctly and enjoyably from childhood. I would like to take today's experience back home and spread health education to the children in my country.”

Today's exchange was a great learning experience for both the Japanese children and the KCCP participants from all over the world. The children who took lessons today may become future doctors. And the children who heard about Japan's hygiene education from the KCCP participants may become an expert to cooperate with Japan to improve world healthcare. We hope that the seeds of future international cooperation will grow.

(Satoko KOGA, Human Development and Operational Coordination Division, JICA Tokyo)