The 4th ASEAN and Japan High Level Officials Meeting on Caring Societies was held in Tokyo from 28th to 31st August, organized by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MOHLW) and JICWELS.

Under the title of Support to Vulnerable People in Welfare and Medical Services, the meeting discussed issues such as child abuse, domestic violence, and provision of medical services to children and women, especially with a view to collaboration of social welfare and health services and development of human resources.

Around 50 participants from the 10 ASEAN countries attended, and in addition to plenary sessions and reports, took part in study visits.

Presenting an “ODA Case Report,” on the Community-Oriented RH (CORH) Project in Myanmar (Healthy Mother Project), Ryoichi Suzuki, Deputy Executive Director, JOICFP, outlined the project and CORH strategies and approach.

He reminded the audience that lowering maternal and infant mortality rates was part of the MDGs, and that it was important for the success of the project to link with existing health services, especially for pregnant women and children under five at the community level.

Delegates look on as Suzuki delivers his report

Suzuki went on to stress the importance of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Promoters, volunteers who bridge the gap between the community and service providers, explaining how Myanmar studied Japan’s example and is applying it in the two project townships of Kyaukme and Naungcho in NorthernShanState.

The ASEAN delegates showed great interest in JOICFP’s community-oriented strategies, and the delegate from Myanmar thanked JICA and JOICFP for their collaboration in the project.

Suzuki concluded by saying, “The health of mothers and children is the foundation of the country.”