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Secretary Skilling Connects with Health Educators in Japan for Assistance in FSM

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): August 19, 2010 - The Secretary of Health and Social Affairs, Honorable Vita Skilling, visited Japan from July 26 to August 4, 2010, on an invitation by the Association of Medical Educators in the Western Pacific Region (AMEWPR). The visit was sponsored by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF).

The purpose of Skilling's visit was to present an outline of the human resource needs and training needs for health development in the FSM, at the joint symposium of the AMEWPR and the Japan Society of Medical Educators. In order that the Japanese medical educators could evaluate the proper types of training that may be needed to practice in a developing country such as the FSM, Skilling highlighted the fact that the FSM does not yet have any medical schools.

During her visit, Skilling toured two Japanese medical schools, the Japan International Cooperation Agency office, a biomedical equipment company and other agencies. Also, through collaboration between the Sasakawa Peace Foundation and the Embassy of the FSM to Japan, Skilling paid a courtesy call to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It is hoped this visit will strengthen the prospect of obtaining training assistance in the FSM's health sector from the NGOs in Japan, to complement the assistance that the Government of Japan is already providing for the FSM.

SPF, established in Japan since 1986, per its mission statement, seeks to contribute to the welfare of humanity and the sound development of the international community, and thus to world peace, through activities that foster international interaction and cooperation. SPF provides grants for, and when necessary, implements by itself, projects that are intended to help resolve common challenges facing the international community and challenges facing Japan in its relations with other countries, but that are difficult for the state or businesses to undertake.