06/07/2026
Final Report from the Philippines
Hello po!
This is Taro from IDETC. I have safely returned to Japan after completing the Philippine Tropical Medicine Course (PTMC).
During the second half of PTMC, I trained on Leyte Island in Eastern Visayas, a region rich in forests, rivers, and rice fields. While known for its beautiful tropical scenery, it also faces important public health challenges.
At Eastern Visayas Medical Center, I learned about the management of snakebite envenomation. We also discussed how delayed hospital access and reliance on traditional healers can negatively affect patient outcomes.
Another highlight was studying schistosomiasis japonica, which remains endemic in the region. We collected freshwater snails, identified Schistosoma japonicum cercariae under the microscope, and examined patients using liver ultrasound. These experiences emphasized that controlling neglected tropical diseases requires both clinical care and public health measures.
Although PTMC lasted only two weeks, it provided invaluable hands-on experience. Together with the DTMH program, these past three months have been an unforgettable journey in tropical medicine.
I am sincerely grateful to the faculty of TMGH, everyone who welcomed us in the Philippines, and my classmates. I look forward to applying these experiences to my future work in infectious diseases, tropical medicine, and global health.
For more information about the Nagasaki Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTMH):
https://www.tmgh.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/en/short-courses
Please note that part of the photo (a person’s face) has been edited using AI.