6th International Conference on Maternal and Child Health Handbook

The 6th International Conference on Maternal and Child Health Handbook Proceedings Report During November 8th-10th, 2008, Nonprofit Organization HANDS hosted the 6th International Conference on Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook in joint with Osaka University Faculty of Human Sciences, Department International Collaborations Department. It has been 10 years since the 1st International Symposium on MCH Handbook was held in Tokyo in 2008, where participants from Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, the Netherlands, and the experts of maternal and child health in Japan gathered to share knowledge and experiences regarding the MCH handbook. The year 2008 celebrates the 60th anniversary since the first MCH handbook was introduced in Japan, and therefore it is very meaningful to host the conference this year again in Japan. Participating countries have increased from conference to conference, and this year, government and local government officials, maternal and child health experts, and NGOs from 16 countries participated. Moreover, the conference was able to receive cooperations from UNICEF and UNFPA, support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, JICA, Japan Medical Association, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan Midwives' Association, and Mothers' and Children's Welfare Association, and sponsorship and donations from corporations and medical institutions. This conference opened the general registration for the first time, and thus provided an opportunity for many people in Japan to participate. ■Conference Date/Venue： November 8th, 2008 (Sat.)/ U Thant International Conference Hall, UN University, Tokyo November 9th, 2008 (Sunday)/ JICA Tokyo International Center November 10th, 2008 (Monday)/ Field Visit (Hitachiomiya City, Ibaraki Prefecture) ■Participating Countries： 16 Countries Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Madagascar, Mongolia, Palestine, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand, Turkey, USA (Utah State), Vietnam, Japan ■Number of Participants： November 8th (Sat.) 　Opening Ceremony, Panel Discussion 320 people November 9th (Sun.) 　Country Report Session, Plenary Session 106 people Photo Gallery Day 1　 November 8th, 2008 (Sat.)/ Venue: U Thant International Conference Hall, UN University, Tokyo The conference was a great success, both first and second floors of the U Thant International Conference Hall, UN University were full of participants. On the day of the conference, Their Royal Highnesses Princess Akishinomiya Kiko, former first lady Kiyoko Fukuda, and congress member, Ms. Nanno, were present. The guests sat at the front row, listening attentively to the presenations. Part 1 Opening Ceremony "MCH Handbook in the World" Facilitator: Ms. Tomoko Sakota(NHK） Mr. Keizo Takemi (Harvard School of Public Health) gave a speech regarding the growing interest towards international health (global health) at the G8 Summit, and showed his own MCH handbook to the audience. Mr. Yoshihisa Ueda (JICA, Vice President) Ms. Kiyoko Ikegami (UNFPA Tokyo Office, Director)   Former Director of UNICEF Tokyo Office (Now, Deputy Director of Program Division, UNICEF Headquarter) A video message was taken before the director finished his position in Japan and it was presented at the conference. Professor Yasuhide Nakamura（Osaka University Professor / Nonprofit Organization HANDS Representative ） It is Professor Nakamura's effort which has made it possible to continue the conference from the 1st International Symposium on MCH Handbook and to broaden the use of MCH Handbook to many countries in the world. During break time MCH Handbooks in the world were displayed in front of the conference hall. The MCH Handbooks are kept at Health and Development Service (HANDS). Many people took the handbooks in their hands one by one and viewed them with great interest.   To view MCH Handbooks in the world, click here Part 2　 Panel Discussion "Ensuring the Quality of Life through MCH Handbook" Facilitators: Professor Yasuhide Nakamura and Professor Dr. Azrul Azawar of Indonesia University Panelists（from the left） Dr. Sirikul Isaranurug（Thailand） Dr. Budihardja（Indonesia） Dr. Dinh Thi Phuong Hoa（Vietnam） Dr. Shafi Ullah Bhuiyan（Bangladesh） After the presentation of the MCH Handbook in each country, all of the panelists gathered on stage and held a question and answer session for the audience. Day 2 November 9th (Sun.) /Venue : JICA Tokyo International Center Country Report Session On the second day from 9：30 to 17：00, the participating countries presented the progress of MCH Handbook in their countries. As same as yesterday, the room was full of interested people. Though the back of the room was tight, everyone listened intently with a serious look. After the presenation of each country, the questions and comments from the floor continued endlessly, and it seemed difficult for the chairperson to wrap up the discussion.     Day 3 November 10th (Mon.)　Field Visit (Hitachiomiya City) Visit to the site of the maternal and child health service and the use of MCH Handbooks in Japan. A two-and-a-half hour bus ride to Hitachiomiya city of Ibaraki Prefecture. At the service area on the highway, the participants took pictures each in their own way. The leaves which turned colors still remained on the trees. Hitachiomiya Saiseikai Hospital What was surprising on our arrival was the huge banner placed at the entrance and the super-size poster of the MCH Conference. The warm welcome was appreciated and the guests raised their voice in surprise. The manager of the pediatric section, Dr. Hideki Kumagai, gave a lecture about the summary of the hospital and the children's health status in Japan. It was followed by a tour inside the new hospital, which has just opened in 2006. There is no meaning if the MCH Handbook is just distributed, the support of the hospital and the health staff is necessary. The guests was intent in listening about the situation of a hospital in Japan. Health and Welfare Center, "Kagayaki" The MCH Handbook in Hitachiomiya City is called "parent and child health handbook", which encourages the participation of fathers in raising a child. The most characteristic of the handbook is that it can be used until the child is twenty-years-old. At the health center, the mayor himself greeted the guests and made a welcome speech. Then, the participants received a briefing ab. out the center and the development of the "parent and child health handbook", followed by the tour of the center and the infant check-up. The participants observed and heard about how the "parent and child health handbook" was being used. Can you see the excited faces of the guests observing the infant check-up? It is a common behavior world-wide to smile at a baby! Everyone was taking pictures all at once. Looking from the side of the room … the crowd seemed a little strange (laugh).   We express our deepest appreciation our to those who provided the conference room and made preparations, to Hitachiomiya Hospital, to the health center "Kagayaki", and to all the mothers who accepted our sudden visit and interview from the participants. Thank you so much! to PAGE TOP

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