In Japan, Mr Katsumura Hisashi lost his first child during childbirth when his wife was given a labour-inducing drug without being informed of the details of her treatment. At that time, hospitals were not obligated to inform patients of the details of treatment, and there were no clear pathways for consent and understanding between patients and medical professionals. Since then, he has become an advocate for patient participation and patient-centred medicine and has succeeded in getting laws amended to require disclosure of medical information to patients.
The People of the Western Pacific project aims to bring a human perspective to the main public health priorities that have emerged for Member States across the Region. Outlined in the Region’s collective vision For the Future, these challenges are health security (including AMR), noncommunicable diseases and ageing, climate change and the environment, and reaching the unreached. The stories in this video series are reflective of the particular economic, social and demographic circumstances of diverse people living around the Western Pacific Region. Through interviews and photo essays, these stories provide a snapshot of the subjects’ lives, concerns, dreams and expectations for the future.
Welcome to the WHO Western Pacific region multimedia library.