Infectious disease care from the patient's point of view Chancellor for medical and social welfare undergraduate students

On May 17th, a special class was held on May 17, 2018, to consider how AIDS victims (patients, families, and bereaved families) have suffered from AIDS and how to care for their physical and mental health when they become medical professionals in the future. It was held at Chiba Togane Campus. Hiroki Takeda, Chancellor Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Habataki Welfare Corporation (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), Faculty of Nursing welfare Faculty of Social Work Studies that provides support for HIV/AIDS victims, was invited as a lecturer. About 300 students who aim to become physical therapists and social workers participated.

Approximately 1,400 people have been infected with AIDS due to drug-induced AIDS caused by contamination of unheated blood products used in the treatment of hemophilia. Not only was the establishment of a treatment system delayed, but patients, families, and bereaved families who were exposed to discrimination and prejudice pursued the responsibility of the government and pharmaceutical companies through the courts, and appealed to society for correct understanding and support. As a result, the government and defendant companies fully accepted their responsibility, and progress was made in the development of medical systems and social security as relief medical care. However, victims still face problems such as various symptoms including complications, and difficulty in visiting hospitals due to aging.

Chancellor first explained to the students what happened when the first HIV-infected person was confirmed in Japan. "Not only were the infected people treated as perpetrators, such as their photos and real names being published in magazines, but they were also told to 'enter through the back door' and 'don't come' at the hospital where the victim had been. I was even discriminated against by medical staff, who I believed would protect me.” I was listening with a serious expression.

Furthermore, Chancellor touched on the fact that a similar situation was seen during the spread of the novel coronavirus, saying, "If I were in a medical field where such damage was spreading, what would I do as a professional? In this era of team medical care, I want you to think about whether you can do it."

Following his lecture, Chancellor gave four examples of situations victims are currently facing, and gave the students time to think about how they would deal with them. The students formed groups from 3 faculties and 4 departments and had discussions, discussing what they should do in their respective careers and what they could do as a team. In response to cases where people "can no longer drive and it has become difficult to go to hospitals," they have announced support measures such as "promoting the use of home-visit medical care and home-visit rehabilitation" and "checking whether local governments have systems such as nursing care taxis." , I received advice from Chancellor Takeda.

Akiko Suzuki, Chair of Faculty of Nursing Department of Nursing, said, "Students, who have witnessed the spread of discrimination and prejudice against infections due to the corona crisis, will renew their awareness of social movements surrounding infectious diseases through the example of drug-induced AIDS. I wanted this to be an opportunity to deepen my understanding of the medical profession, which is not what I am aiming for.” I asked Chancellor to give a lecture. At the venue, Chair Suzuki called out to the students, "I want you to aim to become medical professionals who can build protective barriers to prevent drug hazards from occurring in their respective positions."

Chancellor Hiroki Takeda talking to the students, including his own experiences

Students discussing issues with students from other departments

Students presenting the content of the discussion