Connect with us

Breaking

Medical interpreters needed in Japan, says Filipino caregiver

Published

on

shutterstock_117434116

TOKYO – A 26-year-old Filipino licensed care worker has stressed the need for language interpreters with a good grasp and understanding of Japan’s healthcare system.

Mon Angelo Paladero said that foreign residents generally have a limited understanding of Japan’s medical services and would greatly benefit form the assistance of interpreters familiar with the inner workings of the health system.

“Foreign residents who speak little Japanese need special medical and welfare interpreters who are familiar with Japan’s medical system, not to mention health conditions,” Paladero said.

Paladero, who works at a nursing home for elderly people in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, has been in Japan for four years now.

He cited an incident that took place last year; during which he, while on a visit to a doctor, met a Filipino mother who had brought her child for a check-up.  The woman was  having difficulty communicating with and understanding the doctor’s explanations.

Paladero assisted the mother, acting as interpreter between her and the doctor.  He discovered that the mother was being billed for the entire medical expense, and not the usual 30 percent, due to the fact that her health card had expired.

He noted that because of his knowledge of the system, he was able to help the mother understand what was going on, but that she – like many other foreigners – would have otherwise had a difficult time.

As such, Paladero has begun to teach interpreters of various languages about the intricacies of the Japanese medical system, so as to help foster better communication between patient and doctor as to the health care structure.

Earlier this year,  Paladero joined and won a contest in Japan for his piece on the topic on interpreters for the health care system.  The contest held in August 2014 was organized by the Overseas Human Resources and Industry Development Association.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

News4 hours ago

A Sydney council has banned books with same-sex parents from its libraries. But since when did councils ban books?

Rachel Claire/Pexels   Western Sydney’s Cumberland city council has banned all books depicting same-sex parents in its eight public libraries,...

Environment & Nature4 hours ago

A ‘sponge city’ may be your home in 2050

Your home was probably designed for a climate that no longer exists. As long as humanity continues to burn fossil...

Protest sign read as "My body my choice" Protest sign read as "My body my choice"
News5 hours ago

Arizona’s now-repealed abortion ban serves as a cautionary tale for reproductive health care across the US

When the Arizona Supreme Court ruled on April 9, 2024, that the state’s Civil War-era law banning nearly all abortions...

News5 hours ago

An outsider on the inside: how Ans Westra created New Zealand’s ‘national photo album

Ans Westra, self-portrait, c. 1963. National Library ref AWM-0705-F   They try but invariably fail – those writers who believe...

Canada News5 hours ago

Universities must move past research and teaching, and do more to help society

Universities have three missions. Research and teaching are the better-known. Together, they underpin the third, equally important one – contributing...

Canada News5 hours ago

Carbon offsetting not possible at Faro mine cleanup in Yukon, feds say

By Gabrielle Plonka · CBC News Faro remediation could be ‘example project’ for offsetting, expert argues It won’t be possible to offset...

Canada News5 hours ago

Northern projects net $3.2 million funding boost from Arctic Inspiration Prize

By Katie Todd · CBC News  Inotsiavik Centre in Nunatsiavut named as 2024’s $1 million winner A project to revitalise Inuttitut and...

Headline5 hours ago

DOJ prepares legal brief on PBBM’s options for ICC warrants

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday announced they will provide President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with a...

Headline5 hours ago

Most Pinoys want military action, diplomacy approaches in WPS dispute

MANILA – A large majority of adult Filipinos want the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to assert the...

Headline5 hours ago

DND: Chinese Embassy’s ‘audio record’ on WPS talks violates PH law

MANILA – The Chinese Embassy’s claim of having an audio recording of a Filipino general talking with a Chinese diplomat...

WordPress Ads