Japan International Cooperation Agency

About: Japan International Cooperation Agency is a government organization based out in Tokyo, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 555 authors who have published 613 publications receiving 9536 citations.

Establishing an inventory-based medical equipment management system in the public sector: an experience from Uganda

Abstract: This article aims to share a practical experience of how to set up a simple framework for better medical equipment management at public hospitals and health centres in Uganda for the 2006–2009 period. Three steps approach was employed. At first, all available medical equipment was categorised in six operational conditions and that were indicated on the equipment by eye-catching colour coded stickers; from A to F. Secondary, based on the inventory from the first step, the requirements for maintaining the medical equipment were analyzed and the prioritised action plans were prepared within the available funds. Third, a simple reporting format was developed to enable the health facility managers to monitor and evaluate medical equipment management. As for the accountability, specific information and repair work done is detailed in the job card and summarized in the monthly/quarterly report which submitted to the health facilities and Ministry of Health. The stickers indicate updated operational conditions that draw users and managers attention. Inventory based medical equipment management improves the transparency and accountability regarding the maintenance jobs and the cost of expenditure and estimation. Action plan based on listed all requirements helps health facility managers to focus on priority services using the available resources more efficiently. This case study is value for health facility managers in public sector to put in place a cost effective planning with limited financial resources, especially in resource constrained settings.

Seasonal Variation and Community Structure of Tropical Bees in a Lowland Tropical Forest of Peninsular Malaysia: the Impact of General Flowering

Abstract: All of our experiments were conducted on a canopy tower in Peninsular Malaysia, using an artificial diet The purpose of our experiment was to clarify the seasonal variation at Pasoh Forest Reserve (Pasoh FR) in and spatial community structure of tropical bees, and to show the impact of general flowering on the community structure of bees We collected bees over two years at artificial feeders placed at different heights on a canopy tower Our results showed that there was considerable seasonal variation in the bee community structure: dominant species changed seasonally From an analysis of the spatial foraging patterns of the bees, we determined that each species might have its own specific searching height When general flowering occurred, the community structure of bee pollinators changed drastically Morishita’s β was used as a diversity index for an analysis of data from samples collected before, during, and after general flowering Before general flowering, the value of β was rather high However, during general flowering, when more than 95% of the bees were the Asian honeybee Apis cerana, β decreased Thereafter, β increased slightly, although 916% of individuals were Trigona peninsularis The foraging strategies of tropical bees are discussed in relation to the vertical structure of a tropical rainforest and the impact of general flowering on the community structure of the bees

Water Resources and Irrigation Policy in Afghanistan: Ownership of Local Societies as a Key to Reconstruction

Abstract: Reconstruction assistance has been provided to Afghanistan over 14 years since 2002, but public security remains unstable. Afghan’s rural areas, where more than 80% of the country’s population lives, are characterized by the society which has an extremely strong sense of autonomy based on tribalism and warlords. Such agricultural village societies are important in recovery and reconstruction. Stable and sustainable agriculture through water resources development and irrigation holds the key to stabilize local societies. This study compares and analyzes the process and achievements of government/donor-led projects and community-oriented projects on water resources and irrigation. In the former projects, sustainability of irrigation facilities maintained by local societies has become a large issue, although they have contributed in rehabilitating irrigation areas. In the latter projects respecting local society, culture, tradition, religion, tribalism, politics and economics, many positive impacts are observed: farm household income increases, self-governing capacities of local societies are improved, public security is stabilized, and domestic and international refugees return home and settle. More specifically, this study proves community-oriented projects encourage Afghan local societies in recovery and reconstruction. Thus, existing principles and approaches in government/donor-led projects should be converted in to those under the initiative of local societies. Such a paradigm shift would work effectively for the recovery and reconstruction of Afghanistan, and develop the capacity and establish the ownership in the local societies.

Adding fish images taken in other countries to the biodiversity database of a Japanese public museum, with report of range extension of Labrisomus jenkinsi from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica

Abstract: Many biodiversity databases have been launched in recent years. Various species of certain developed taxa, such as fish, quadrupeds, and butterflies, are currently able to be photographically identified, in particular for ecological and biogeographic studies. However, there are problems that result from registration of images from countries with different primary languages. In this study, we provide an example of the challenges associated with registering fish images, specifically one case that has functioned as a voucher for the range extension of Labrisomus jenkinsi (Heller and Snodgrass, 1903) (Perciformes: Labrisomidae) from the Galapagos Islands to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The fish image database in question belongs to a Japanese public museum [the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History; the online version (FishPix) is provided by the museum and the National Museum of Nature and Science]. We propose that there are problems associated with image registration caused by using different languages. Furthermore, these challenges should be a common subject for discussion among museums as they attempt to accumulate biodiversity data from citizens in the future.