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Part 4- Collaboration: The Key to Helping Japan Heal

Nicole Gunawansa | February 12th, 2015
This interview was held on December 2nd, 2014 in Tohoku Medical Megabank Building

Question 10: You organized community based projects in Kesennuma. Why you feel it is important to get community members involved in such efforts?

Human resource is an important factor in the reconstruction of the medical systems in the affected areas. The community members need to be informed about the changes happening as things are being rebuilt and the medical staff needs to be educated about the community culture. In order to successfully integrate the improved medical system into coastal areas like Kesennuma and stimulate understanding, the local population needs to be involved. So I have started doing projects that promote information transfer via newspapers, radio, and lectures to hospital staff and students in order to encourage community participation. I regret that I could not do more in my hometown when the Kobe earthquake occurred, so I am trying to do my best to help the people affected by this recent disaster. At first, there were some challenges with local contribution such as difficulty understanding dialects (especially with the elderly population), but these minor issues were overcome. The primary benefit of these community based projects is that people have the opportunity to share their experiences of the disaster and express their feelings with one another, which advances the healing process for the victims.

Question 11: What additional projects would you like to see Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization take on in the future?

We are moving towards personalized medicine. I hope to see more individual improvement and accountability on the part of the doctors to help educate patients about the future of medicine, particularly genomic medicine. In order to gain more participation by the patient community, we need to simplify and translate medicine for patients to understand. More doctors need to be trained to become the translator for their patients. By improving communication between patient and doctor, we can improve future medical practices and make the people who provided data (via cohort studies) proud.

Question 12: In what ways do you think you, or your work has changed from the time of the disaster? Additionally, how far do you think Japan has come since 3/11?

Dr. Kiyomoto appeared as a guest on the Kesennuma Saigai FM Radio's talk show (September 17th, 2014)

I have become more proud of my nationality after the disaster. I am proud how the Japanese people have rallied together to help each other after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Unlike some other places in the world where natural disasters result in conflict and unpleasant behavior (i.e. looting), 3/11 bought out the good in people, and promoted humanity. The respectfulness and resilience of the samurai sprit was demonstrated by the victims of the earthquake and tsunami. This mindset is something that others in disaster situations should try to channel.
Japan has come very far from where it was in 2011, but more partnership in the medical field needs to happen. People need to see the merits of a system based upon collaboration; people need to support the movement towards a social medical system.