“Even with the crisis, Japan is still in need of more health workers, especially caregivers. That’s a big opportunity that Filipinos need to consider,” said Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital administrator Oscar Tuason.

Tuason, in an interview Wednesday at the sidelines of the Cebu Health and Wellness Council gathering, said while many are discouraged by scarce jobs in the United States and Europe, Japan on the other hand is trying to make room for health workers.

In order to prepare Filipino caregivers for Japan, the CDUH has opened in March 2008 the Japanese-Filipino Caregiver Project, described as a first in the Philippines, that allows caregivers including nurses and therapists to work in Japan.

Tuason said the school has partnered with Japanese companies Konoike Transport Co. Ltd. and the Jukenzai Group in the program implementation here. He said these Japanese firms are aiming to address their shortage of healthcare workers given Japan’s aging population.

According to their respective websites, the Jukenzai Group is one of the largest medical corporations in Japan with over 3,000 hospital beds specializing in medical care, nursing care and caregiving for the elderly.

he Konoike Group is into the sterilizing business and the supply of hospital equipment and logistics, catering to more than 500 hospitals in Japan.

Under the program, CDUH offers a crash course on Japanese care-giving based on a curriculum outlined by the Japanese group.

The course, which runs for two to three months, details specific Japanese practices and culture in caregiving.

“Japan has a unique way of caring for their elderly,” Tuason noted.

In order to assist students during the practical training, he said several medical equipment had to be imported from Japan.

Aside from the course, the students learn Nippongo on a daily basis since health workers in Japan needed to be competent in conversational, level two Nippongo.

Tuason said 10 students have already graduated from the caregiving course and 25 more are currently enrolled in the program.

Tuason said that in the light of the present global financial crisis, Filipino healthcare workers need not be discouraged as work opportunities, especially in their field, is still plenty.

“Demand for our health workers abroad will always continue. So far, there hasn’t been any significant decline in the number of Filipinos who lost jobs in this practice,” he concluded.

Publication:  Manila Bulletin
http://www.articlearchives.com/asia/northern-asia-japan/2332152-1.html