After three weeks have passed since the unprecedented earthquake and tsunami, the climate has become relatively mild from the time when the disaster struck Tohoku and Kanto regions. However, whilst the evacuation life prolongs with the recovery of lifelines stagnant at this stage, more and more people have complained a chronic sick feeling.
Emergency medical needs have decreased as a number of medical teams are now active in the devastated sites. Hence, along with the ongoing medical relief activities, AMDA has begun shifting its target to the highly-demanded elderly nursing from Apr. 1st.
AMDA will be launching a nursing-assistance program in collaboration with a Japanese company specialized in the field. From now on, careworkers will be sent to AMDA's work site to work with the existing teams; providing the elderly nursing care in rotation.
As of Apr. 1st, from AMDA there are 24 personnel in Ohtsuchicho (Iwate) and 9 personnel in Minamisanriku-cho (Miyagi) respectively.
Iwate Prefecture (the town of Ohtsuchicho):
Along with the regular medical services, one of AMDA doctors started to offer acupuncture treatments at Ohtsuchi High School.
Meanwhile, AMDA and its partners, namely, AMDA Indonesia, MERCY Malaysia, Medipeace (Korea), Bangkok Hospital (Thailand) and Network Chikyumura (Japanese NGO) have decided to launch a scholarship program for the disaster victims.
The scholarship is targeted to the high school students in the disaster-stricken areas who wish to become a doctor in the future. Besides financial assistance for three years, the scholarship aims to provide international cultural exchange opportunities through the support organizations.
Miyagi Prefecture (the town of Minamisanriku-cho):
At Minamisanriku-cho, it is foreseeable that due to the relocation of the residents (1,100 people) the number of evacuees will decrease from now on. At the same time, the medical supplies have been currently fulfilled.
AMDA held a briefing session on norovirus in preparation to the potential risk of breakout as the sanitary condition in the shelter has been deteriorating due to the prolonged evacuation life.
Latest dispatch of AMDA personnel (as of April 1st):
2 careworkers for the nursing-assistance program (Ohtsuchicho, Iwate Pref.) (Mar. 31st)
17th team: 8 personnel (2 doctors, 3 nurses, 1 counselor, 2 coordinators) (Apr. 1st)
Total number of AMDA's relief personnel as of April 2nd: 108
39 doctors, 20 nurses, 2 midwives, 1 assistant nurse, 3 pharmacists, 2 psychotherapists, 39 coordinators (including assistants and interpreters), 2 careworkers
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