MESSAGE FROM VOLUUNTEERS
Impression of the doctors who participated in volunteer
Dr. Eiji Ehara from Osaka City General Hospital
I participated in both local examination team and catheter treatment team. In Khovd, all team members worked together to checkup children. Besides the local examination, we were invited to the house of nomad people and took us to see the stars in the middle of the night.
Also, I worked with other hospital’s doctors in Japan to treat Mongolian children with heart disease and it was valuable experience. I would like to participate again in the future.
Dr. Dai Asada from Kyoto Prefectural University Hospital
I participate in catheter treatment team in May 2016. Large number of doctors who were leading the area of pediatric cardiovascular disease in Japan participated at the same time.
I was impressed with how they do their best in an environment that is not well-off working with Mongolian doctors. After the treatment, I was very grateful from the family. Even thought I could not understand what they said, I thought from my heart that “I am glad to come to Mongolia.” I would like to continue to participating in this activity to do my best both Mongolia and Japan.
Dr. Onishi Tatsuya from Shikoku Medical Center for Children and Adults
The most important thing I learned from this experience is “This project cures a lot of children suffering from heart disease in Mongolia”, and “This project’s doctors have been using their own knowledge and technologies to do as the best treatment as they can.” I have not had much connection to volunteer activities until now, but with this experience I was able to take new step. I hope that through this experience I am willing to do a better treatment, and I hope that it will contribute to the children of Mongolia again.
Altantuya; Mongolian woman who lives in Japan with two children
At a point of view of being a mother of two children, what I think the most important thing that the children are to be healthy, even if they do not like studying. Mothers of any country want to help their children somehow.
Bayasar; Mongolian man who lives in Japan
I want to do something for the troubled children in the world. Even if I cannot do everything, I think I can do something. And I am interested in the NPO that started to save the children with heart disease in Mongolia under the name of “HEART SAVING PROJECT”, and I participated in the activities to give children dreams, excitement and hope.
Everyone, please bring great joy to the children.
Dr, Masaki Yamamoto from Kochi Medical School Hospital
I experienced a lot of meaningful time through attending this project. I realized that the medical treatment that can be received in Japan is not available in Mongolia. I was able to carry out medical activities with pediatric cardiovascular doctors all over Japan, and the medical activity in cooperation with local doctors. I was able to work without lowering my motivation because the fact that everyone, including the local staff, worked hard every day had a positive effect on me.
Dr. Keijiro Ibuki from Toyama University Hospital
I was able to witness the current state of medical care in developing countries. Heart Saving Project’s experience and judgement to select the best proceed with treatment in the limited medical resources has become a great study for me. The dramatic effects of catheterization have made it possible for the children of Mongolia to feel the future opens brightly. There was a great fulfillment in the smiles and thanks of the patients and their families after the treatment. Medical services that are commonplace in Japan cannot be received in Mongolia. The weight of life should not change…
I would like to cooperate with the activities of this HEART SAVING PROJECT as far as I can.
Dr. Sumito Kimura from Kitasato University Hospital
It was a big shock that I could see a medical examination with the subject of how to decide the treatment options in a short time, such as patient examination, echo etc. It was a great harvest.
I am still excited about my experience in Mongolia. After while I think carefully and deeply why I chose to become a pediatric cardiovascular doctor and what kind of doctor I am aiming for in the future.
Dr. Masato Kimura from Tohoku University Hospital
At first, I had a sense of self-confidence that I could help this activity, but I was reminded again of my immaturity and lightness of knowledge when I was screening and catheterizing, and now I have nothing but reflection.
From now on I would like to study without forgetting this feeling.
I would be glad if my experience and study in Japan is useful for Mongolian children, and I believe my experience in Mongolia must be useful for Japanese children, too.
Dr. Takashi Higaki Professor of Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine
Thank you very much for helping many people in HEART SAVING PROJECT’s activities in Mongolia. I am always Impressed by how well the children who have received the catheter treatment get well. I am grateful to the people of Zurkh Khamagaalakh Tusul.
Dr. Koichi Kataoka from Jichi Medical University Hospital
In this travel, I felt that the unity of the participants became stronger than usual by overcoming the troubles ant difficult situation together. I think that it was because everyone was very supportive that it became an atmosphere of talking privately. In many ways, it was a very meaningful travel.
Dr. Naomi Nakagawa from Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital
I was many cases that I have not seen in Japan. If there is an opportunity, no, I should make an opportunity and participate again.
Dr. Kou Meishu from Ehime University Hospital
I caused a lot of trouble to everyone, but it was a good experience. I will study in Ehime from now on.
Dr. Akihiro Tahara from Tsuchiya General Hospital, Akane-Foundation
It was around -10 degrees in Mongolia this time and it was not so cold than I prepared so I was able to spend relatively comfortable. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
Ms. Satoko Maruno (Secretariat) from Usami Photo Office
We received a letter from the child’s mother, who studied Japanese because she wanted to write a thanks letter to us. Her child was treated by HEART SAVING PROJECT’s activity. This activity faces life seriously. I am just thankful to people involved in medical services who are participating at their own expense, and those who can contribute. I help this activity with the paperwork field.
Dr. Nozomi Katayama Anesthesiologist from Shimane University Hospital
Recently I participated as an anesthesiologist in catheter treatment. This is my second time to participate in general anesthesia management with an anesthesiologist at the Mother and Child Center of Mongolia. As they are good at child anesthesia, it was only the management of high lung blood flor patients with my poor English. Sometimes such thing happened; there were no anesthetic agents used in Japan or the anesthesia machine did not move. However, it was possible to have medical treatment while exchanging opinions such as on each other’s anesthesia method and drug usage, etc. It was a valuable expence. I think it was very good to be able to help from the perspective of an anesthesiologist on activities to protect the health of children in Mongolia.
Dr. Eichi Yamamoto from Ehime University Hospital
This is my eighth trip to Mongolia this time. Every time I take this trip, I am excited. Why on earth will I do this? Is this because the scenery of Mongolia wonderful? Or because I can eat delicious Mongolian food? Yes, that is also one of the reasons. NO. Japanese HEART SAVING PROJECT team firmly sets up a tag with Mongolian NPO member and Mongolian medical team. For me, who travels once a year, it feels like a big tournament that can deliver results. Unlike usual every day, in order to make use of the experience of daily medical care in Japan here, a sense of tension is felt as if there is no failure. I think this is the cause of excitement. There were no accidents or troubles this time like every time, and I got an appropriate result and finished. Every time I feel that the basics and skills of Mongolian doctors have improved considerably. So, what is the role of this activity from now on? I think it would be nice if I was able to find out the goal while thinking hard and be excited in this land next year.
Sayuki Koide Nurse from Ehime University Hospital
I participated in HEART SAVING PROJECT’s activity this year also consecutive from last year. Last year, I went to Mongolia for the first time, and I was fascinated by the warmth of this staff, the patriotism and ambition of local staff, and the majesty of the country of Mongolia, and I wanted to participate in the next time. The staff members who are involved in this activity really like things in Mongolia and are working with pride. In Japan, by interacting with doctors and staff who have never worked together, I can hear various experiences and values, and I can expand my world. In the future, I would like to find out what I can do because I am a nurse and to help Mongolian children and their families to be happy. Thank you very much.