A group of businessmen and doctors from Tokyo and Kyoto is exploring Cebu to look into the possibility of setting up a partnership with a Philippine hospital for the establishment of a retirement village.
The Japanese businessmen from Konoike Group, are composed of Minoru Amano, Executive Director and General Manager of Health Service Management Consultant; H. Iwahashi Manager of Konoike Transport Co. Ltd.; Dr. Yoshimichi Abe Deputy Director of Nagaminosoto Hospital; Tomoyasu Imananishi, Director of Kansaitemonokanri Service Co. Ltd.; Dr. Horishi Akaki, Director and Superintendent of Nagominosato Hospital; and Kotaro Miki, Secretary General of the Shinsei-Juzenkai Medical Corporation. The group visited the facilities of the Cebu Doctors’ Hospital, particularly the South General Hospital in the town of Naga, Cebu. Cebu Doctors’ Hospital is one of Cebu’s biggest hospitals. Prior to the Cebu visit, a group of businessmen and doctors from Cebu visited their Japanese counterpart’s facilities in Japan. Both visits were coordinated by the Philippine Investment and Trade Center in Tokyo, Japan (PTIC), which had been very active in promoting the Philippines as a site for Japanese retirees. The PTIC is manned by commercial counsellors and staff from the Department of Trade And Industry (DTI). "The Philippines should seize the opportunity that we can provide the human and geographical resources to meet the ageing population of Japan. If we are not able to take this opportunity, other countries will take it," said DTI Sr. Undersecretary Thomas aquino. Japan’s population is ageing very fast. Its population peaked in 2005 at 127.8 million, and is forecasted to decline by 30 percent to 89.9 million in 2055. Japanese population of over 65 years old will increase abruptly from 20 percent of total population in 2005 to 40 percent of total population in 2055. This phenomenon has put strain on Japan’s economy and social security system. Once the deal is finalized, Filipino nurses and nursing staff will be given the trainings on Nihongo and Japanese culture. The language training course is scheduled to commence in November 2007 at the Cebu Doctors Nursing School. The opportunity for these nursing personnel to work in Japan will be institutionalized in the JapanPhilippines economic partnership agreement (JPEPA). The JPEPA is awaiting the concurrence of the Philippine senate. Under the JPEPA, the entry of Filipino nurses and nursing staff will be eased. The Philippines is globally known as a reliable source of caring and efficient nurses and nursing staff. Their services are much demanded in the US, UK, and Australia. |