Project News

JICA hosted a study visit "Japan's experiences in Universal Health Coverage for Children and Mothers (U4C) towards improving U4C in neighboring countries", for 17 participants from Ministry of Public Health and the National Health Security Office, Thailand, during February 17 – 23, 2019. The study visit aimed to learn from Japan's experiences on maternal and child health in the context of UHC and SDG, to understand successes and challenges related to maternal and child health in Japan, to discuss and to propose the way forward on how Thailand can share experiences with other countries with Japan. The study visit comprised of 4 themes in maternal and child health as follow 1) maternal and child health program; 2) perinatal and neonatal medicine, neonatal screening; 3) child health and development, the social welfare for congenital disorders and disabilities children; and 4) role of manufacturer of diagnostics, vaccines, antidote serum products. Beside 4 themes above, JICA arranged the visit to National Institute for Minamata Disease (NIMD), to study the impact of mercury poisoning to human health and It marked a turning point for Japan to continuously develop new policies and technologies for environmental protection for children health.

Course orientation by Mr. Kei UMETSU, Project Officer, JICA Kyushu

Course orientation by Mr. Kei UMETSU, Project Officer, JICA Kyushu

Visited Yahata Higashi Sakura Nursery School, hosted by Ms. NOGUCHI, Teacher, Sakura Nursery School.

Visited Yahata Higashi Sakura Nursery School, hosted by Ms. NOGUCHI, Teacher, Sakura Nursery School.

Visiting participants joined exercise class with teacher and children at Yahata Higashi Sakura Nursery School

Visited Kumamoto Prefecture Office and attended to the overview maternal and child health activities in Kumamoto Prefecture, hosted by Dr. Hiroko SAGARA and Dr. Yoko EGUCH, Health/Welfare Dept. Kumamoto Prefecture.

Visited Kumamoto Prefecture Office and attended to the overview maternal and child health activities in Kumamoto Prefecture, hosted by Dr. Hiroko SAGARA and Dr. Yoko EGUCH, Health/Welfare Dept. Kumamoto Prefecture.

A lecture "maternal and child Health service improvement activities and issues" given by Dr. Hiroyuki TSUCHIYA, Fukuda Hospital, and hospital facilities for maternal and child health tour.

A lecture "maternal and child Health service improvement activities and issues" given by Dr. Hiroyuki TSUCHIYA, Fukuda Hospital, and hospital facilities for maternal and child health tour.

Visit Kumamoto university for perinatal for study perinatal and neonatal medicine

Visit Kumamoto university for perinatal for study perinatal and neonatal medicine

Dr. IKEBE, Director, Rehabilitation Center for Children with Disabilities, and staff welcome

Dr. IKEBE, Director, Rehabilitation Center for Children with Disabilities, and staff welcome

Visit KM Biologics company, to study role of manufacturer of neonatal diagnostics, vaccines and antidote serum products. Mr. Kanitsak Chantrapipat, NHSO shared vaccine management in UHC Thailand.

Visit KM Biologics company, to study role of manufacturer of neonatal diagnostics, vaccines and antidote serum products. Mr. Kanitsak Chantrapipat, NHSO shared vaccine management in UHC Thailand.

Visit KM Biologics company, to study role of manufacturer of neonatal diagnostics, vaccines and antidote serum products. Mr. Kanitsak Chantrapipat, NHSO shared vaccine management in UHC Thailand.

Visit Kumamoto City East-ward office and Kosa health center to observe Infant Health Checkup.

Visit Kumamoto City East-ward office and Kosa health center to observe Infant Health Checkup.

The study visit gave various knowledge and experiences on maternal and child health including perinatal and neonatal health activities, neonatal mass screening, health checkup for infant and children, child development program, care for disabilities children and roles of manufacturer participated in improved maternal and child health in Japan. Friendly and enthusiastic welcome from all visiting sites impressively inspired Thai participants to learn and experience from fruitful Japan maternal and child health experiences. Finally, visiting the National Institute for Minamata Disease (NIMD) and story-telling by Minamata patient made all participant recognized painful experiences and the important of environment impact on human health particularly our children.

The lessons learnt from Japan will further summaries and analyses to adapt for sustainable improvement Thailand MCH under UHC and provide technical support for UHC implementation in ASEAN and other countries in the region of Asia and Africa towards achieving UHC.