Dr. Watanabe-Galloway to lead UNMC’s Japanese relief effort

When it comes to disaster preparedness, Japan is one of the best in the world.

Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, Ph.D.

But, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami devastated many of the country’s rural villages. It also was felt by many communities beyond the north eastern part of Japan.

Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, Ph.D., a professor in UNMC’s College of Public Health is from Urayasu, a city in western Chiba, Japan, on the border of Tokyo. The city has two parts:

• The original fishing village; and
  
• The newer landfill portion that adjoins Tokyo Disneyland.

“Many of my friends don’t have sewage, electricity and water. The entire city is full of mud,” Dr. Watanabe-Galloway said. “Because the city is far from the most devastated areas, it gets less attention and help.”

A lot of help needed

This unprecedented disaster requires a global public health response, said Ayman El-Mohandes, M.B.B.Ch., M.P.H., dean of UNMC’s College of Public Health.

“Many individuals and communities will be impacted by this disaster, mental health needs and containment of potential nuclear contamination will remain significant challenges to match rebuilding infrastructure,” he said. “Public health professionals will be needed to monitor the population’s health and provide intervention strategies.”

UNMC leader selected

Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., appointed Dr. Watanabe-Galloway to coordinate the medical center’s response.

“In our culture, asking for help is embarrassing and considered a sign of weakness. That is why we suffer in silence.” Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, Ph.D.

“Shinobu’s expertise is with population-based public health issues,” he said. “She can assess the broad needs to direct and maximize the medical center’s relief efforts. And as a native of Japan, she can ensure our response is culturally appropriate.”

Reason for the muted response

Efforts to respond to Japan’s crises seem to be less organized and slower compared to disasters that occurred in other countries in recent years. This may be partly due to less direct and urgent request from the Japanese government for international assistance.

“Japanese people are a quiet and resilient people. In our culture, asking for help is embarrassing and considered a sign of weakness. That is why we suffer in silence,” Dr. Watanabe-Galloway said. “As a medical center, we cannot stand by and let hundreds of thousands of people face disease and long-term health concerns without offering aid.”

More information about specific UNMC efforts to help Japan will come soon.