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- Introducing ANMC21 Joint Projects
| The Asian Network of Major Cities 21(ANMC21) is a cooperative effort between major cities and capitals in Asia, working on joint projects to solve problems faced by large cities. In this issue, we introduce Countermeasures to combat Infectious Diseases in Asia. |
Stop Infection! Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia:
Successful Countermeasures against the new influenza
Currently all member cities of the ANMC21 are taking part in the Countermeasures to combat Infectious Diseases in Asia, in which specialists (doctors and researchers) from a variety of nations have formed a network, and formed contact systems with government, research, and medical organizations, so as to swiftly combat the outbreak of infectious diseases in Asian cities.
This installment introduces a project conference and overseas training program that took place last year.
○Conference on Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia Project:
A Unified Personnel Training Program!
In the three days from November 9th through 11th, 2010, the sixth Conference on Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia Project and Personnel Training Program were held in Taipei, with participants from Taipei, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo. The conference held several speeches and discussions mainly on the countermeasures against influenza, tuberculosis, Dengue fever, and HIV/AIDS.
The participants made presentations and exchange opinions on the subjects of Tokyo's systems and Jakarta's successful efforts during the 2009 new influenza outbreak in relation to the conference's main theme of influenza countermeasures. While vaccines were undersupplied in Taipei at the time of the outbreak, its policy giving priority to vaccination of children had the major effect of preventing outbreaks in schools. In Tokyo, elementary school students were collectively vaccinated under the judgment of the local governments and the local medical associations.In addition to preventing outbreaks of the flu, this method used the vaccine efficiently by immunizing groups at one location.
This conference contributes to sharing each city's experiences and knowledge, building a more tightly-knit network, and reminding each city of the importance of preventing infectious diseases' outbreak.
The next Project Conference is planned to be held in Jakarta in November.
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○Infectious Disease Specialists Travel to Thailand:
Overseas Training Course on Global Infectious Diseases Control
In this project, doctors, nurses, and health outreach workers from designated infectious disease medical organizations and public health institutes underwent training at the faculty of tropical medicine, Mahidol University in Bangkok, which is known for its research of infectious diseases. The training was composed of on-site visits and lectures regarding the Asian cities' common problems—countermeasures against tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, as well as Tokyo's preparedness for the spread of new diseases. Five members participated in the training held from November 14th through 27th, 2010.
This training consists of lectures and visits to actual medical facilities regarding Thailand's health problems and medical policies, Bangkok's system for tuberculosis, and tropical diseases not common in Japan such as Dengue fever and malaria.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical infectious disease. Infected patients rapidly increase especially during the rainy season, when the pools of water are found more commonly where mosquitoes breed. Because traveling abroad has become more frequent in Japan along with expanded capacity for international flights at Haneda Airport, increased number of tourists get infected with Dengue fever overseas, and develop symptoms after returning home. The experience and knowledge gained in the training is expected to allow medical care to quickly adapt to these circumstances.
Additionally, after rooming together for two weeks, the doctors formed a direct communication network between the doctors of Tokyo and Thailand through exchanging e-mails after returning home. We expect that this network will prove fruitful to everyday work as well.
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★Back issues about Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia
4 th http://www.asianhumannet.org/english/newsletter/200907.html#02
9 th http://www.asianhumannet.org/english/newsletter/201006/2.html
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