Yamaguchi Takeshi
National Sanatorium Kuryu-Rakusen-en, 647 Kusastuostu, kusastucho, Gunma 377-1711, Japan.
Nihon Hansenbyo Gakkai Zasshi. 2005 Sep;74(3):199-203. doi: 10.5025/hansen.74.199.
"Leprosy control and Basic health service Project" was terminated at March 2005 within the scope of the period. I was assigned to develop the Plantar protect footwear for neuropathic feet, which called "Myanmar Sandals" in common. These sandals are not made by new technologies but made by basic knowledge. I would like to report about this activity as which is a part of distinguished strategy of ODA (Official Development Assistance) for developing country, but not as the technical report of these sandals. There is only one National Leprosy Hospital in Myanmar. At the time this project started, there were only two footwear technicians for the people who had disabilities by after effect of Hansen's disease in this country. And, it would appear that the number of the people is over 50,000. Furthermore, the budget of national hospital is not enough to refill necessary consumable supplies and materials. Although, I should instruct new technique which like making in Japan in ordinary circumstances, I could not think that such technical transfer by using costly imported materials woud bring beneficial effect and be continued. We were bound to be anxious about such situations when we made the plan. As a result of examining a plan based on these situations, we reached the conclusion that development of the simplified ready-made footwear was pressing need.
“麻风病防治与基本卫生服务项目”于2005年3月在该时期范围内终止。我被分配去研发用于神经性足部的足底保护鞋，这种鞋通常被称为“缅甸凉鞋”。这些凉鞋并非采用新技术制作，而是基于基础知识制成。我想将此活动作为官方发展援助（ODA）对发展中国家卓越战略的一部分来汇报，而非作为这些凉鞋的技术报告。缅甸仅有一家国家麻风病医院。在该项目启动时，这个国家针对因麻风病后遗症而残疾的人，仅有两名制鞋技术员。而且，这类人群数量似乎超过了5万。此外，国立医院的预算不足以补充必要的消耗品和物资。尽管在正常情况下我应该传授类似日本制作工艺的新技术，但我认为使用昂贵进口材料进行此类技术转让不会带来有益效果且难以持续。我们在制定计划时必然会为这些情况感到担忧。基于这些情况审视计划后，我们得出结论，开发简化的成品鞋是当务之急。
