Activity Report

Round-table Talk: International Cooperation in Hibakusha Medical Care Originating from Nagasaki

On August 2, 2007, NASHIM organized a round-table talk to mark the 20th anniversary of the worst nuclear power plant accident in history, at Chernobyl in the former Soviet Union (present Republic of Ukraine). The panel consisted of people engaged in supporting Chernobyl victims on behalf of NagasakiUniversity and several NGOs.

With Mr. Shunichi YAMASHITA, WHO scientific officer specializing in radiology (currently Professor at Nagasaki University), serving as moderator, opinions were exchanged among Ms. Hiroko MAKI of the Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation, a private organization involved in medical cooperation for Chernobyl; Ms. Sadako KAMIYA of the Japan Chernobyl Foundation; Professor Yoshisada SHIBATA of Nagasaki University Graduate School, who has been working for Chernobyl from an epidemiological standpoint; and Mr. Tetsuya ISEKI, NASHIM President.

The panel confirmed some important points: support for Chernobyl victims should be continued because, although the incidence of infant thyroid cancer due to the disaster had already peaked, future possibilities remain unknown; as scientific advances show both bright and dark aspects, Nagasaki and Hiroshima as A-bombed cities have the important role of appealing for the peaceful application of science. The panel also expressed hope that NASHIM’s activities, fueled by the experience of atomic bombing, would promote international cooperation in medical care, starting from Chernobyl, as well as world peace.

Panelists

Shunichi YAMASHITA (WHO scientific officer)

Prof. Yamashita has provided support to Chernobyl accident-affected countries through the Chernobyl Sasakawa Health and Medical Cooperation Project and many other projects, as a NagasakiUniversity professor. He has worked as a key person in NASHIM’s pivotal project, cooperation in medical care for Hibakusha. He is currently a WHO scientific officer specializing in radiology and working on an international scale.

Yoshisada SHIBATA (Professor, NagasakiUniversityGraduateSchool of Biomedical Sciences)

As the Director of Epidemiology of the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Prof. Shibata demonstrated an increase in infant thyroid cancer cases after the Chernobyl accident in a post-event impact assessment conducted within the framework of Chernobyl Sasakawa Health and Medical Cooperation. Currently, Prof. Shibata is continuing his research at NagasakiUniversity on the health impact of the Chernobyl disaster.

Hiroko MAKI (former section chief of Chernobyl Sasakawa Health and Medical Cooperation Project, Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation)

Ms. Maki, formerly in charge of the Chernobyl Sasakawa Health and Medical Cooperation Project, has visited Chernobyl so often to oversee the project that she came to be known as the “Mother of Chernobyl.” Patrol buses donated by the Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation while she was in her former post are still in active use.

Sadako KAMIYA (Head Officer, JapanChernobyl Foundation)

Ms. Kamiya, Head Officer of JCF, works actively in tandem with JFC’s president, Minoru Kamata, the well-known author of Gambaranai (Don’t hang in there) and other publications. The organization’s continuous support of Chernobyl is highly appreciated in affected areas. Recently, Ms. Kamiya has been visiting Belarus frequently, continuing support appropriate for different local situations.

Tetsuya ISEKI (President, NASHIM)

Dr. Iseki has been President of NASHIM for 10 years, since 1996, while at the same time holding the important post of President of the Nagasaki Prefectural Medical Association. As NASHIM President, Dr. Iseki is committed to active international cooperation: he has visited Kazakhstan, Korea and Ukraine, and has received trainee physicians from many Chernobyl-affected countries.

Click here for more information on support for Chernobyl by NagasakiUniversity and the NGOs