The International Activity of Health-Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences Collaboration at the UP-PGH

A conference was conducted by the Cancer Institute Foundation, Inc. (CIF) for the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network (CECAP) in association with the KOBE International Health Cooperation and the Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOFOG) last March 29, 2009 at the Cancer Institute (CI) auditorium.

Dr. Augusto Manalo, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), and adviser to CECAP, welcomed the visit of Professor Hiroya Matsuo, Director of the Division of International Cooperation, Department of International Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, introducing the guest as one "bringing the desire of Kobe University to continue and reenergize with our educational network and scientific exchange with them since the 1970's."

Ms. Sylvia Gonzalez, the president of the Philippine Oncologic Nursing Association (PONA) pledged to support the CECAP mission and vision and stated its aspiration to be part of the awareness campaigns of CECAP. Ms. Patricia Gomez, the president of Integrated Midwife Association of the Philippines (IMAP), and Ms. Lucila Magsino, chief nurse of the CI, explained the role of midwives and nurses in the prevention of cervical cancer prevention.

Dr. Cecilia Ladines-Llave, chair of the CI and director of CECAP, presented the CECAP-KOBE-AOFOG collaboration and correlated the network significance with the nurses' and the midwives' roles in the fight versus cervical cancer. Professor Matsuo imparted his desire to continue the collaboration on women's health care with emphasis on cervical prevention and exchange of scientist for research. Dr. Llave facilitated the strategic planning for each participant to give their opinions and suggestions.

See more photos of the event here.