May 5, 2011

The Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) has been gradually passing the baton to local doctors and medical facilities in Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures, but continues to play a supporting role, providing traditional medical treatments for evacuees, providing mobile clinics where needed, and providing necessary supplies to local doctors and hospitals. In Minamisanriku, for example, the team that had been working there since March 19 was able to hand over the responsibilities to the Shizugawa Hospital on April 20. Electricity and water have still not been restored, but the hospital has managed to reopen. On April 28, AMDA presented the doctors with computers, medical books, white coats, and other items they needed. AMDA will continue to monitor the needs of the doctors.

The AMDA team also learned that the Shizugawa High School still has no electricity or water and therefore remains closed. Its students are going to be divided between two other high schools in nearby towns.