JIFF and AMP

"As medical doctors it is the start point of our activities that we consider what should and need to be done in terms of global medical service on top of local medical activities. We would like to continue our activities even if they are small activities."

During the 23 years of war in Afghanistan about one million people have died and another million have been disabled. After the invasion of Russia's Red Army in Afghanistan in 1979, the fighting between the communist military supported by the Red Army and Mujaheden caused several hundred thousands of deaths and injured many innocent Afghan civilians. For those injured Afghans where medical treatment was not possible, in such cases where technology, specialization and specific knowledge was required, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under its Afghan Medical Program (AMP) took them to advanced nations where treatment would be possible such as the United State of America, Canada, Australia and various European countries.

In Japan, JIFF was the first organization to accepted these patients for treatment at Josai Hospital. Josai Hospital is located in Yuki, Yuki City, Ibaraki. Salam Jan, a 9 year old boy was the first patient who came to Japan and admitted at Josai Hospital. He had been injured during an air-strike by Russian red army at home in Jalalabad (eastern city in Afghanistan). He was brought for treatment to Peshawar by his father. Even after the completion of his treatment he was not able to use his right hand for daily life activities. The more advanced surgery was required to treat his right elbow joint.

Salam Jan 9 years boy was the first Afghan patient who went under surgery in Josai Hospital in 1988. He was injured when a rocket hit their house in Jalal Abad, Eastern part of Afghanistan. An operation scene of an Afghan Patient in Josai hospital in 1992.

Soon after his arrival he went under operation and post-operation rehabilitation in Josai Hospital. After six months, his treatment was completed successfully in Japan and he returned to Peshawar. Following him other patients in groups of 2 to 8 came to Josai Hospital for treatment. Most of them had orthopedic problems.

Salam Jan just before his return to Pakistan. Mrs. Arakawa (1st from the left in 1st line) with other Josai Hospital nurses and Subat Khan (an Afghan patient who just arrived in Japan) also seen in this picture.

The procedures of patients screening and selection from refugee camps for treatment in Japan is done by IOM mostly and sometimes by JIFF's medical delegation from Japan. After their arrival in Japan the mutual adaptation between Afghan patients and Hospital staff is the main concern as there are many deferents for them in Japan such as; religion, language, culture, food etc. For these purposes, JIFF's Afghan staff (four Afghan Brothers) have assisted the patients, as well as the Japanese staff through their adaptation process, thus making relationships and amendment to a new culture smoother and more comfortable.

Four Afghan brothers in JIFF Medical Center in Peshawar.

The treatment of Afghans in Japan has continued for five years. In these five years we received 56 patients from refugees camps in Peshawar and Queeta who were children , women and men . After treatment they returned to Pakistan and were admitted to JIFF's Physiotherapy Center in Peshawar for further rehabilitation treatment and care.