Japanese Professor, Doctor has decided to pursue his own journey to bring light to tens of thousands of underprivileged people in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)
Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) – Turning down a stable
life in Japan and enticing offers from big hospitals, ,
Doctor Hattori Tadashi has decided to pursue his own journey to bring light to tens
of thousands of underprivileged people in Vietnam.
The 60-year-old has recently been awarded the
“Honorary citizen of Thua Thien – Hue province” title in recognition
of his outstanding achievements and contributions to the central locality’s
development for peace and social progress.
In 2022, Hattori, who is CEO at Asia – Pacific
Prevention of Blindness Association (APBA), was presented with the Ramon
Magsaysay Award – an honour widely regarded as the “Nobel Peace Prize of Asia.”
The doctor originally only planned to spend a single
three months in Vietnam when he visited the Southeast Asian nation in April
2002. However, that “three months” wound up impacting the next 20 years of his
life.
“I was shocked to see many patients who are blind in
one eye go to the hospital only when the retina in the other eye became
detached, or when they had other issues that might have caused their loss of
vision,” Hattori said.
“Many patients refused because they couldn’t afford
it.
“It broke my heart that I couldn’t help everyone
because there was a shortage of surgical supplies and equipment.”
After returning to Japan, he called for sponsorship
from medical companies but was turned down because he no longer worked for a
hospital.
He then submitted a proposal for assistance to the
Japanese government but was told they only supported non-governmental
organisations.
In the end, he decided to use all the savings that he
and his wife had set aside for their retirement to buy equipment to perform
free surgeries in Vietnam.
Over the years, Hattori continued returning to rural
Vietnam to examine patients, perform surgeries, and treat cataract issues.
During his trip to the mountainous district of A Luoi in
the central province of Thua Thien – Hue on March 26, the doctor directly provided
check-ups for hundreds of locals, and performed cataract surgeries for 42
patients.
In , he not only directly performs
surgeries but also transfers techniques, imparts knowledge and skills, and
mobilises resources to improve service quality at the Hue Eye Hospital.
He is an example for local medical workers to follow
in improving qualifications and better serving the people.
Tadashi has received other honours for his humane
activities in Vietnam. He was awarded the Friendship Medal by the President and
the insignia “For health of people” by the Ministry of Health./.
Source: VietnamPlus
