In a significant stride towards international cooperation in the realm of health education, the University of the Philippines Manila – School of Health Sciences (SHS) and Saku Central Hospital (SCH) Japan officially inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on November 14, 2023 with the aim of fortifying ties and fostering collaborative initiatives in the field of health education through this agreement.

The MOU was signed by Dr. Michael L. Tee, Chancellor of UP Manila (UPM), and Dr. Jumpei Hasumi, Medical Director of SCH, delineates key areas of collaboration. Primarily, the two institutions will facilitate the exchange of students, staff, and faculty members, fostering a dynamic environment for cross-cultural learning and knowledge sharing. Secondly, a core focus of the collaboration is joint human resource development for health education in rural communities.

Visitors from Saku Central Hospital include Resident Physicians Dr. Ayaka Saito, Dr. Toru Ishida, Dr. Kaho Shimomura, and Dr. Koki Nakayama, and Attending  Senior Resident Dr. Kanako Aoyagi. 

Among the witnesses was Dr. Sumana Barua, SCH Course Supervisor, who served as the Team Leader of the WHO Global Leprosy Programme in 2014. Dr. Barua is a graduate of the UP Manila School of Health Sciences (SHS) in Palo, Leyte. Also present was Dr. Vivien Fe F. Fadrilan-Camacho, Director of the Office of International Linkages (OIL) and a professor in the UP Manila College of Public Health.

The MOU signing today, marks the second renewal of the contract between SHS and SCH after the contract was first renewed last May 2021. The MOU will be effective for the period November 2023 to October 2026. #

Charmaine A. Lingdas