What contributions can Japanese medical technologists make in developing countries?: A look back on my JICA volunteer activities in Samoa

Abstract

As a senior JICA volunteer, I was sent/dispatched to the independent state of Samoa for two years with the goal of improving the operations of the National Hospital clinical laboratory. This assignment not only taught me about how things actually work in developing countries, but I also had many experiences that I would never have had in Japan. On the basis of my experiences, I want to think about the contributions that Japanese medical technicians can make to the development of clinical laboratories in developing countries. It is my wish that many Japanese medical technicians will have the opportunity to work abroad.