Symposium of physicians who are second-generation A-bomb survivors held at IPPNW World Congress
Aug. 30, 2012
by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer
On August 25, a symposium of physicians who are second-generation A-bomb survivors was held as part of the 20th World Congress of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), taking place at the International Conference Center Hiroshima. This is the first such symposium for doctors who are second-generation survivors to learn about A-bomb experiences in the quest to eliminate nuclear weapons. Three physicians from Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Brazil served as panelists.
Keiko Hiyama, 54, a doctor from Minami Ward, Hiroshima, has expertise in the genetic affects of radiation from the atomic bombings and serves as a member of a commission of experts at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, located in Minami Ward. Dr. Hiyama spoke about her mother’s experience of being exposed to radiation from the A-bomb while providing care to the survivors in Hiroshima. She stressed, “When I treat survivors, I put a high value on having sympathy for their pain.”
The mother of Susumu Shirabe, 57, was exposed to the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. Dr. Shirabe, a vice president at Nagasaki University, described the university’s new Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, which was founded in April. “I will continue to convey the folly of using nuclear weapons,” he promised.
Koichi Sameshima, 56, is an associate professor at the University of Sao Paulo. Dr. Sameshima’s father entered the city of Nagasaki shortly after the atomic bombing and was exposed to radiation. He talked about the A-bomb survivors living in Brazil, growing older and declining in number. To prevent their memories from fading from public awareness, he presented the idea of translating a book about the effects of A-bomb radiation on the human body into Portuguese and making this information available on the Internet.
The symposium was organized by Physicians of Second-Generation Hibakusha, a group formed in March 2011 by doctors living in Hiroshima.
(Originally published on August 26, 2012)
On August 25, a symposium of physicians who are second-generation A-bomb survivors was held as part of the 20th World Congress of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), taking place at the International Conference Center Hiroshima. This is the first such symposium for doctors who are second-generation survivors to learn about A-bomb experiences in the quest to eliminate nuclear weapons. Three physicians from Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Brazil served as panelists.
Keiko Hiyama, 54, a doctor from Minami Ward, Hiroshima, has expertise in the genetic affects of radiation from the atomic bombings and serves as a member of a commission of experts at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, located in Minami Ward. Dr. Hiyama spoke about her mother’s experience of being exposed to radiation from the A-bomb while providing care to the survivors in Hiroshima. She stressed, “When I treat survivors, I put a high value on having sympathy for their pain.”
The mother of Susumu Shirabe, 57, was exposed to the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. Dr. Shirabe, a vice president at Nagasaki University, described the university’s new Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, which was founded in April. “I will continue to convey the folly of using nuclear weapons,” he promised.
Koichi Sameshima, 56, is an associate professor at the University of Sao Paulo. Dr. Sameshima’s father entered the city of Nagasaki shortly after the atomic bombing and was exposed to radiation. He talked about the A-bomb survivors living in Brazil, growing older and declining in number. To prevent their memories from fading from public awareness, he presented the idea of translating a book about the effects of A-bomb radiation on the human body into Portuguese and making this information available on the Internet.
The symposium was organized by Physicians of Second-Generation Hibakusha, a group formed in March 2011 by doctors living in Hiroshima.
(Originally published on August 26, 2012)
