Among those living in temporary housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake,
there are many who have lost their jobs, are bereft of
their hobbies and social connections with
neighbors, and are living introvert lives. Many of these people also have significantly
fewer opportunities
for
physical exercise. As a result, an increasing
number are suffering from
weakening in their backs and legs, and thrombi [plural
of thrombus] in the blood vessels
of their legs. Thrombosis,
if left untreated, is a dangerous disease that can cause necrosis or sudden
death, among other things.
Since
April 2013, AAR
Japan has been working together
with Morioka City Hospital
to conduct preventive medical examination and early
treatment activities on Economy-class Syndrome (Evacuees Thrombosis) and Disuse
Syndrome (Inactive Lifestyle), which are
commonly seen in
evacuees.
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Many
people arrived for the check-ups being offered. Most were elderly folk,
who do not have many opportunities to undergo medical
examinations.
(Support Center Tomioka, Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, June 29th,
2013)
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On June 29th, we held
group medical examination sessions in three temporary housing locations in
Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture. In addition to doctors and nurses from Morioka City
Hospital, volunteers from Fukui University and medical equipment companies were also present that
day, making up a total of 39
medical staff. A
total of 124 people,
who live either at the venue or in one of the neighboring temporary housing sites, received
check-ups.
The participants received blood pressure measurements, an echocardiography
of their blood
vessels,
exercise guidance and lifestyle guidance, among
others. In addition, each participant had an interview/consultation with a doctor.
Also, we distributed elastic stockings that help improve blood circulation to
all participants,
and gave instructions on how to use them.
Dr. Kazuhiro SASAKI of Morioka
City Hospital said,
“For patients we
diagnosed
in these medical examinations, we would write reference letters if they needed it
so they can receive treatment at their nearby hospitals. On average, 10
per cent require treatment, and 30 per cent need extra caution.” Comparing the
health data of the elderly population living
in Morioka City with those living
in temporary housing, the elderly residents in temporary
housing have
significantly worse health conditions.
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Each
of the participants received an interview
with a doctor and could consult him on various issues.
To the left of the photo is Dr. Kazuhiro SASAKI of Morioka City Hospital. (June
29th,
2013)
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“Deep vein thrombosis is
an environmental issue. People who are living as evacuees tend to live in small
and narrow temporary housing
spaces, cannot go to work, have lower amounts of exercise,
and refrain from going to hospitals. Thus, they
are more likely to suffer
from thrombus. Unless the town as a whole recovers, and people are
able to start working again, any
improvement of the
current situation would be very difficult, and support is still needed.
In temporary housing sites
where there are instructions for regular exercise and events by
volunteers, there tend to be fewer
people with thrombus,”
Dr. Osamu YAMAMURA of Fukui University told us.
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“The
recovery of the town as a whole is crucial to the improvement of the current situation,” said Dr. Osamu YAMAMURA
of Fukui University. (June 29th,
2013)
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One of the participants, a
gentleman in his sixties, told
us: “I
have high blood pressure and am really grateful for these medical examinations.
I think the best way
to thank
those who support us is
for us to live healthily.” Another woman we
interviewed at “Support Center Tomioka” was 8 months pregnant. She seemed
relieved,
saying:
“My legs are swollen, but I cannot get checked for thrombus in my prenatal condition.
Today I am glad that the doctor told me, ‘You are OK!’”
So far, the project has helped
1,043 people in 35 places in Iwate Prefecture. In the future, we plan to hold
these medical examination sessions
in Miyagi Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture and will continue these activities
until June 2014.
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“I am really happy
to receive this check-up
because I
have high blood pressure”;
“Since many people who live in temporary housing are elderly and have little exercise,
these projects are really important,” said some of the people who
came to receive medical check-ups
together with their neighbors. In
the center of the photo
is AAR Japan’s Yuka OTA. (June 29th,
2013)
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Ms. Mutsuko HIRAYAMA (right), who
received preventive medical examination, and Yuka OTA
of AAR Japan. Ms. HIRAYAMA came happily running up to us upon
seeing our AAR
Japan jackets
and told us:
“AAR Japan has always helped me, and I really consider them someone to turn to
when I have any difficulty. I am really happy to meet AAR Japan staff. It has
been a while.” (June 29th, 2013)
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This project is made possible by your warm support and with the aid of the Qatar Friendship Fund.
What is the QATAR FRIENDSHIP FUND?
 |
| The QATAR FRIENDSHIP FUND (QFF), founded in January 2012,
is a fund of the State of Qatar to support the recovery of areas affected by Great
East Japan Earthquake. It is operated under the supervision of His
Majesty Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, former Emir of the State of Qatar,
and is led by Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammad
Al Attiyah. H.E Mr Yousef Bilal, Qatar Ambassador to Japan, is the acting Chairman
of QFF, and actor
Mr. Tetsyuya BESSHO is its
Goodwill Ambassador. QFF will provide 100 million USD funding for projects
that address three main priority areas – “Child Education”, “Healthcare”, and
“Fisheries” – from January 2012 to December 2014. QFF represents the hope and
commitment of the State of Qatar, which will go forward hand-in-hand with Japan
to help in the recovery of the areas affected by the Great East Japan
Earthquake. Click here to access the QATAR FRIENDSHIP FUND Official Website |
Reporter (Profile as of the date of article publication)
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| Kaori YAMADA, AAR JAPAN Tokyo OfficeYAMADA has been in charge of Public Relations and Supporters at the Tokyo office since November 2007. Prior to joining AAR, YAMADA worked for 8 years with a Japanese NGO. She is a native of Shizuoka |
