Hajime Sunagawa awarded Nishi-Nippon International Foundation Asia Contribution Award for cleft palate treatment

Hajime Sunagawa

February 16, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

Hajime Sunagawa, an advisor for the Okinawa-Laos Cleft Lip and Palate Support Center, which helps provide treatment to cleft lip and palate patients in Laos, recently received the 22nd Nishi-Nippon International Foundation Asia Contribution Award. The Foundation honors organizations and individuals in the Kyushu, Okinawa, and Yamaguchi regions that contribute to international exchange in Asia.

Sunagawa began his work in 2001 out of the Setthathirath Hospital in Laos, and by 2019 he had provided free surgery and treatment to 347 cleft lip and cleft palate patients. In receiving the award, Sunagawa thanked everyone involved and said, “We were able to continue the project thanks to the cooperation of the Japan Cleft Palate Association and the University of the Ryukyus Hospital staff.”

He plans to continue his work while assessing safety levels during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The award ceremony will be held in Fukuoka City on March 2.

(English translation by T&CT and Monica Shingaki)

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