Health is a basic right
for all people

Assistant Professor Rika Fujiya is involved in community health activities in cooperation with NGOs and other organizations in the occupied Palestinian territory, where war never ceases, as well as other developing countries and areas of conflict around the world.
Her aim is to work together with local residents on practical and research work, and at the same time, pass on her wealth of experience and knowledge to youths of future generations.
She also seeks to put the philosophies of health and human rights established in the Declaration of Alma-Ata into practice.
The research activities undertaken by Prof. Fujiya are the establishment and practice of primary health care that will become the core of global health, which will become increasingly important in the future.

  The fundamental philosophy of PHC, which does not accept inequities

My research theme is primary health care (PHC). PHC was defined in accordance with the Declaration of Alma-Ata, drawn up at a joint meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) held in Kazakhstan in Central Asia in September 1978. Specifically, it makes health and medical care more accessible across the world, and is a philosophy and methodology that aims to bring about the realization of improvements in access, fairness, community involvement, and focus on preventive activities in the field of health and medical care worldwide.

The stance of PHC is based on 4 principles: 1. Respect for the needs of people; 2. Community participation; 3. Utilization of community resources; and, 4. Having the community play an active role in developing a comprehensive health care system. The Declaration of Alma-Ata laid out the goal of achieving “Health for all by 2000.” I believe that the fundamental ideology behind that is “non‐acceptance for health inequities.”

Regrettably, the specific goals established by the Declaration of Alma-Ata were not achieved by 2000. However, reflecting on that failure and based on the stance of PHC, efforts were made after 2000 to put in place preventive measures for infectious diseases and improve maternal and child health with the aim of reducing the mortality rate of infants and expectant mothers on the global level. In this regard, a certain level of results was achieved in the Southeast Asia region, for example.

  PHC should be the basis of global health

After 2000, the concept of “global health” has been propounded. This concept captures, in an integrated manner, health issues in areas such as public health and maternal and child health on a global scale, across national boundaries. I believe that PHC, based on the philosophy of achieving “health for all,” as established under the Declaration of Alma-Ata, should form the basis for this concept.

It is also a theme that places the focus on health and human rights alongside with PHC, and I would like to consider this concept together with researchers in developing countries while harnessing my experience of previous involvement in community health. The question of how the term “human rights” should be captured is a difficult one to answer, but health is fundamentally a basic human right. However, this human right is not protected in areas of conflict, and children who are born in areas of conflict cannot naturally enjoy good health. I feel that this is extremely absurd.

When I speak to high school students living in areas of conflict or occupied territories, I find that they are highly sensitive to the fact that basic human rights, including the right to health, should be protected regardless of the country or region that a person lives in, even if that country or region were in conflict or under occupation. They also have good knowledge of the Geneva Conventions (International Humanitarian Law). This is an important concept that those of us living in societies where peace is taken for granted tend to forget, and I intend to pursue and think seriously about the fact that human beings are born to this world with health and human rights.

  Involvement in the field of health amidst the turbulence of the occupied Palestinian territory

In my practical and research work in the field of PHC, my longest period of involvement has been in the occupied Palestinian territory. In my current position as a health advisor with the Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC), I am involved in projects in East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Students from SFC are also participating in these projects as a part of their research and practice.

In East Jerusalem, JVC provides medical examinations at school and health education in regions that have become divided by “the wall” constructed by Israel. Of these projects, I am involved in Training of Trainers (ToT), which seeks to nurture leaders who can play an active role in health education in the local community. In cooperation with medical NGOs(*) that have been active in the local community for the past 30 years, we implement educational courses spanning about 20 sessions for students in the health committees at schools, and I provide expert advice on how to make health education proceed more smoothly, and the type of challenges that are faced in the provision of such education. Activities by the local staff are beginning to take root and become established, and our concerns are gradually shifting toward the sustainability of the activities.

Strict restrictions pertaining to the movement of people and goods have been enforced in the Gaza Strip, due to blockades and military attacks by Israel. As a result, there are concerns about malnutrition and anemia among children, as well as the adverse impact on their long-term development. JVC has implemented projects aimed at improving the nutrition of children. Until 2011, the focus of these projects was placed on nutrition education and the provision of locally produced high-iron milk and nutritious biscuits to children in kindergartens. However, they have made the transition to educational activities and the nurturing of leaders who can play an active role in nutrition activities in the region. Since 2002, I have been involved in such support activities.

* Non-governmental Organization

Activities in Palestine with Japan International Volunteer Center

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  A building in the Gaza Strip, which came under military attacks in the summer of 2014. While the photograph was taken in January 2015, half a year after the attacks took place, no progress has been made on reconstruction due to limitations in procuring resources from outside of Gaza.

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  Pieces of traditional embroidery handmade by women from Palestine. Developing and selling these products generates income for women suffering under the economic crisis resulting from the conflict.

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  The scene of a health lesson for lower grade children at an elementary school in East Jerusalem, conducted by children from the Health Committee. In such ways, support is provided for creating an environment that allows for health education to be carried out in schools.

  PHC practice and education in Congo and Laos

In my position as a university faculty member who is engaged in the research and education of PHC, I am involved in activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa, as well as in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Southeast Asia.

The Democratic Republic of Congo Acadex Project is a joint research project that covers the 3 areas of education, architecture, and medicine. Its activities include providing medical examinations at ACADEX Elementary School, providing health education through workshops, and grasping the situation of health in the region. In the workshops, for example, health education that places the emphasis on methods with visual appeal is implemented mainly by students, in order to consider issues together with children from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and to encourage the proactive participation of children. In activities to grasp the situation of the community, research is conducted particularly on the water and hygiene situation in view of the fact that water supply has become available to villages.

The Laos Primary Health Care Activity Project is organized as a joint training program for 3 medical faculties (School of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy). Under this project, students observe and undergo practical training in health projects, in order to learn about the roles and activities of WHO, UNICEF, JICA(*) and other international cooperation entities that are active in Laos. Students stay overnight in local villages and provide health education for children at local elementary schools corresponding to their ages, in areas such as first aid, nutrition, and hand hygiene.

* Japan International Cooperation Agency

Congo Acadex Project by Medical Team

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• Medical examinations are implemented for children at elementary schools as part of the activities undertaken by the medical team. The doctors, led by professors from School of Medicine, Keio University, provide medical examination services in cooperation with local doctors.