Association of Medical Doctors of ASIA, founded in 1984, Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC since 1995

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AMDA Emergency Response #25 – West Japan Torrential Rain

Publication date:2018-08-03
 
While the temperatures have been topping 35 degrees C every day in Okayama, AMDA is working hard to provide relief for the victims of the torrential rain disaster in Soja City and Mabicho in Okayama. The activities at AMDA’s three work locations, namely, Sunwork Soja (Soja City), Mabi Community House Sono Branch (Mabicho) and Okada Elementary School (Mabicho) have been going well overall.

On 31 July and 1 August 2018, one volunteer was dispatched per day from AMDA’s collaborating partner, Okayama Prefectural University, to take part in the relief work.

Among the victims are those who are working as volunteers but still clearing their houses at the same time. While it is true that AMDA’s aid work cannot be made possible without the help of volunteers, they sometimes overwork themselves which results in damaging their health (they often feel reserved to take some rest while others are working.) By closely working with local health workers and medical institutions, AMDA hopes to provide comprehensive care for the victims and volunteers alike as fatigue has been accumulated almost after a month from the disaster.

Activity report (31 July 2018):

-Acupuncture at Okada Elementary School (Mabicho):

It has been two weeks since AMDA launched the acupuncture service in Okada Elementary School. On the 31st, 16 people came to receive the treatment in which four of them experienced it for the first time. The patients are mostly in their 40s and 50s. Although they hadn’t noticed it themselves, insomnia and dullness seemed to have been taking a toll on them. Hence, the therapists are trying to give a treatment that relieves the nervousness and stiffness they are feeling. While an ordinary acupuncture treatment takes more than 60 minutes per patient (combining acupuncture and moxibustion), therapists try to keep it to 30 minutes to allow more people to receive the cure. The only thing they avoid is moxibustion as smoke could fill the air in the shelter. The therapists recommend patients to receive the treatment continuously, because without incorporating moxibustion, it takes more time to heal. Most of those who appreciated the acupuncture treatment would make a reservation for their next visit, but this makes it difficult for the first-timers to make a booking (which has been the current issue.)

Besides the acupuncture treatment, seven people received a massage and 14 people used a footbath.

-Nurse’s rounds at Mabi Community House Sono Branch (Mabicho):

In addition to nine elderly people who have been evacuated from a nearby nursing home, every day around 10 people visit this community house to spend their time away from their affected homes. One AMDA nurse and the care workers from the nursing home have been providing health-related assistance to both groups. On the 30th, the team brought some of the evacuees to a specialized facility to let them take a bath. From preparing meals to taking them out for a walk, or toileting at night, the team is rendering comprehensive support to those who need assistance in their daily life tasks.

-Health-related assistance and acupuncture service at Sunwork Soja: (Soja City):

As of 31 July, AMDA has sent one health worker and one coordinator to Sunwork Soja in which 39 people from 19 households have been seeking shelter. They have been providing health-related assistance with local medical personnel. In the morning, AMDA sent one acupuncturist to give a treatment there.

Originally from the town of Kuroshiocho in Kochi Prefecture, the health worker was dispatched via AMDA’s Platform for the Great Nankai Trough Disaster, a disaster platform aimed at responding to a large-scale natural disasters, especially the Nankai Trough Earthquake and Tsunami which is predicted to strike Japan in the near future.

The health worker who engaged oneself in the relief activities for five days (27-31 July) said, “In preparation for the Nankai Trough Disaster, I felt that our town needs to work on the expected challenges such as elderly nursing care during an emergency or making a manual for evacuation shelters. I also thought that after the emergency phase is over, it is equally important to be prepared for the normalization of life including the application procedures for the nursing-care benefit certification (mostly for the elderly people). To that extent, I realized that my knowledge and skills as a health worker were essential. I learned that it is important to solve problems systematically and not temporarily.”

It is hoped that the health worker gained a lot from this experience which could be utilized in one’s locality for potential disasters that may occur in the future.
    •  Emergency Relief
    •  GPSP Medical Mission (Promotion of Health)
    •  Japan
    •  2018
    •  ER & Reconstruction

 
 
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