Japan in need of caregivers

CEBU, Philippines - Employment demand for health workers and caregivers in Japan remains strong despite the grave impact of the global economic unrest that has hit its economy.

Cebu Doctors Hospital (CDH) administrative vice president Oscar Tuason encouraged Filipinos to take advantage of the employment opportunities in Japan.

"Even with the crisis, Japan is still in need of more health workers, especially caregivers," Tuason said adding that this opportunity should also be considered for Filipinos as opportunities, amid the massive man-power lay-off around the world, and scarce job opportunities offered in the US, Europe and other countries.

Last year, Cebu Doctors University opened its Japanese-Filipino Caregiver Project, described as the first in the Philippines that allows caregivers including nurses and therapists to work in Japan.

This facility according to Tuason, will specifically prepare Filipinos to work in Japan, as caregivers and health workers, as there is a high percentage of aging Japanese population who need special medical and care giving attention.

The school has partnered with Japanese companies Konoike Transport Co. Ltd. and the Jukenzai Group in the program implementation here.

He said these Japanese firms are aiming to address their shortage of healthcare workers given Japan's aging population.

Jukenzai Group is one of the largest medical corporations in Japan with over 3,000 hospital beds specializing in medical care, nursing care and caregiving for the elderly.

The Konoike Group is into the sterilizing business and the supply of hospital equipment and logistics, catering to more than 500 hospitals in Japan.     

Under the program, CDU offers a crash course on Japanese caregiving based on a curriculum outlined by the Japanese group.

The course, which runs for two to three months, details specific Japanese practices and culture in caregiving.

"Japan has a unique way of caring for their elderly," Tuason said adding that the in depth orientation of Japanese culture, including know-how to speak Nippongo is very important.

In order to assist students during the practical training, he said some medical-equipment had to be imported from Japan.

Aside from the course, the students learn Nippongo on a daily basis since health workers in Japan needed to be competent in conversational, level two Nippongo.

Tuason said 10 students have already graduated from the caregiving course and 25 more are currently enrolled in the program.

"Demand for our health workers abroad will always continue. So far, there hasn't been any significant decline in the number of Filipinos who lost jobs in this practice," he said.

Tuason added that in the light of the present global financial crisis, Filipino healthcare workers need not be discouraged as work opportunities, especially in their field, is still plenty.