Hiroshima International Council for Health Care of the Radiation-exposed

HICARE invited a medical delegation consisting of nine members from the Korean Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences (KIRAMS) National Radiation Emergency Medical Center in Korea. 

Lecture: "Concerning Emergency Radiation Treatment and the Investigative Function of Research Facilities"
by Dr. Kenji Kamiya, Professor at the Hiroshima University Institute for Radiation, Biology, & Medicine

Lecture: "Techniques for Physical Dosimetry"
by Dr. Masaharu Hoshi, Professor of the Hiroshima University Institute for Radiation Biology & Medicine

Lecture: "Concerning HICARE’s International Cooperation"
by Dr. Itsuro Yanagida, Permanent Director of the Hiroshima Medical Association

Lecture: "Medical Examinations for A-bomb Survivors at the Hiroshima A-bomb Casualty Council"
by Dr. Hiedo Sasaki, Director of the Health Management and Promotion Center at the Hiroshima A-bomb Casualty Council

Lecture: "Concerning Epidemiological Follow-ups on Atomic Bomb Survivors, related Radiation Biology Research, and the Investigative Function of Research Institutions"
by Dr. Neriishi, Deputy Chief, Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation
Mr. Masahiro Yamaguchi, Chief, Master File Section, Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation

Visit to the Peace Memorial Museum and other A-bomb related sites

Courtesy calls to the Hiroshima Prefectural Government and Hiroshima City Government

Kyu-Chan LEE
Radiation Oncology Department
Gachon Medical School Gil Medical Center

Impressions:
Via this training program, I felt I truly began to understand HICARE's activities and goals. Hiroshima plays an important role, unrelentingly reminding us of the disastrous consequences of the atomic-bombing (unfortunately fading ever so slowly from our memories).

Even today, Hiroshima, silently but powerfully, tells of the catastrophe to each and every visitor, citizen, student, or scientist strolling about the Peace Memorial Park.

HICARE, composed of collaborating national and local governments, medical l associations, and research institutions, has produced research for 60 years, awaking similar peace-seeking scientists throughout the world. HICARE has contributed significantly to international exchange and international normalization.

In addition to their promoting of improved medical care for radiation victims, I am deeply impressed seeing how Hiroshima encourages the peace-loving minds of the world.

Medical Activities in Korea:
Having graduated from medical school in 1990, I took a five-year doctor's course (after the master's course) on radiation oncology. I work as an associate professor at the Gachon Medical School Gil Medical Center; I treat patients with cancer (malignant tumors) at the hospital, as well as instructing medical students and studying medical affairs.

I am grateful to have received such beneficial training, participating in the medical delegation as a leader of the Incheon region radiation emergency team.

In addition, while promoting the study of the radiation treatments, I also wish to deepen mutual cooperation through exchange via HICARE.


Hong-Ju JANG
Nuclear Medicine Department
Army Armed Forces Daejeon Hospital

Impressions:
Despite a short two-day period, I am glad to have participated in HICARE’s well- organized program. I would like to suggest that it may be more fruitful if HICARE could prepare several training programs in several different fields.

Medical Activities in Korea:
Working as an intern doctor at the nuclear medicine facility at the Samsung Medical Center, I wrote an article concerning the POS forecasting of patients, utilizing PET, with esophagus or utero-cervical cancer. Presently doing military service, I work as a chief of the nuclear department at the Army Armed Forces Daejeon Hospital, taking charge of education and training as a leader of the Secondary Radiation Emergency Medical Hospital.


Man-Jae LEE
Internal Medicine Department
Yeong Gwang Christian Hospital

Impressions:
Focusing on the more practical aspects, the training impressed me thoroughly. HICARE could enrich its activities, and the world, by spreading its activities ever wider throughout the globe.

Medical Activities in Korea:
I would like to utilize the knowledge acquired at HICARE's training for the health care of radiation-exposed patients in Korea. As a leader of the Secondary Radiation Emergency Medical Hospital, I would like to play a new, more effective role, making full-use of my training.


Kwang-Yul KIM
Orthopaedics Department
Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital

Impressions:
・The training deeply impressed me.
・However, regrettably, the training period might be too short to fully assimilate its contents.
・It might be more convenient for trainees if they visited the Peace Memorial Museum in the afternoon, rather than in the morning.
・I would like to thank HICARE with all of my heart.
・I can say I love Hiroshima, despite only a single visit.


Ki-Moon KANG
Radiation Oncology Department
Gyeongsang National University Hospital

Impressions:
To begin, I would like to thank everyone for their warm hospitality.
I greatly respect the efforts HICARE takes to overcome the disaster of the Atomic-bombing. Through the HICARE training, I learned of several issues regarding the effects of radiation on the human body. Concurrently, this training gave me a chance to understand both the acute and chronic after-effects of the A-bombing more practically. I expect that HICARE's training will become one of Japan’s representative training programs.

Medical Activities in Korea:
・ I work at the radiation oncology department of the Gyeongsang National University Hospital in Jinju City, a leading city of the Gyeongsangnam-do region.
・ I am working enthusiastically as a staff member at the Secondary Radiation Emergency Medical Hospital.
・ I am in charge of radiation education and radiation medical care.
・ I think we can minimize the damage caused by radiation by both acquiring knowledge actively and responding aggressively.
・ To fulfill our obligation as a regionally based hospital, I would like to work toward changing the perception of radiation medicine, working together enthusiastically with doctors and related institutions.


Ryeok Ahn
Ulsan University Hospital

Impressions:
First of all, I would like to thank HICARE for their active and patient hospitality.
I would like our medical staff to deepen their understanding of radiation emergency medicine in Korea; I would very much appreciate it if HICARE could deliver files containing the lecture material.


Hyun-Ki KIM
Emergency Team
Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences

Impressions:
Given the present stage of the radiation emergency medical network, I think that it would be greatly beneficial for us to have a lecture by Professor Kamiya, an inspection of HICARE related organizations such as the Hiroshima A-bomb Casualty Council, and a discussion with the medical staff there.
In particular, the cooperation among the research institutions of the university, HICARE, and local governments was quite impressive to me.
However, to have the trainees concentrate their attention on the lectures, I think it might be necessary to deliver the materials beforehand. I would also appreciate it if the trainees could bring back the materials used in the lecture, so that they may be used at home-country hospitals and medical institutions.

Medical Activities in Korea:
1) Establishment of both a medical treatment system and plan of action in the event of a radiation accident.

2) Support for symptom prediction, medical treatment, and radiation exposure measurement in the event of a radiation accident.

3) Education and training for the responding staff in the event of a radiation emergency.