The development of medicine has not been an easy path for the world, nor for Peru, which has gone through a long process of professionalizing the practice. During the development of this specialty there were great pioneers, such as the famous Hipólito Unanue or the martyr Daniel Alcides Carrión, who gave his life to contribute to the knowledge of the Peruvian wart.
The truth is that many citizens have had important contributions in this field, however, we cannot ignore those foreigners who have left their own mark on the country. One of them is Researcher, doctor and bacteriologist Japanese Hideo Noguchi, known today for its good reputation and, in the case of Peru, also for having a hospital in the capital bearing its name. But it is worth asking who is this distinguished doctor?
Noguchi Sissako, as his given name was, was born in Japan, in Fukushima Prefecture in 1876, and from a young age he had great talent and talent in medicine and research. He devoted himself to it under the supervision of Dr. Kanae Watanabeand soon after he already became prominent in his field and was often requested by medical institutions.
When Noguchi was only 21 years old, he already obtained a permit to practice medicine He spent a lot of time on Tokyo. Later, around 1900, he immigrated to United State To continue his training at the University Pennsylvania.
However, he later worked as a researcher at the Harvard Medical Research Institute Rockefeller FoundationHe was able to observe different types of infectious diseases, in addition to visiting many of the countries to which he was sent.
That was in the twentieth century, and our country had already witnessed more than one epidemic and disease that claimed the lives of many citizens. However, in 1919, the city of Piura was hit by an outbreak of yellow fever that required the visit of more than one foreign specialist to help combat it.
As if that were not enough, several cases of bubonic plague have also been recorded, making the situation truly critical.
By 1920, he sent Simon Flexner, director of the Rockefeller Foundation Hideo Noguchi To the country as part of a charitable mission to combat epidemics. It is worth noting that the researcher had previously conducted studies on yellow fever and was received in the port of Baita on May 5. Unfortunately, no further cases of the disease occurred upon his arrival.
Eager to accomplish his task, Noguchi worked with samples collected from a group of fever-vaccinated guinea pigs that had previously been examined and found to be healthy.
To their surprise, these animals showed signs of yellow fever and the human samples were re-examined, finding the same type of spirochete that had already been observed in countries such as Mexico and Ecuador. Noguchi was undoubtedly a distinguished figure and was received and dismissed with honour. He was even noted to speak a little Spanish and helped reaffirm the effectiveness of the vaccine and the “anti-yellow” serum.
According to Javier Mariátegui, Noguchi and Honorio Delgado, a pioneer of mental health in Peru, could have met at some point during this journey without knowing that both of them would give their name to an important institute in the future.
Later, the scientist traveled to Lima and stayed in one of the best hotels in the city. He was received like a celebrity and gave his views on the health situation in Piura, explaining it There was a lack of water and sanitationwhich is exacerbated by heat.
During his stay, he also met with some Peruvian doctors and extended his greetings to the Head of State. Augusto B. Liguia, He visited the hospitals of Santa Ana and 2 de Mayo, and held conferences, including a conference of the Faculty of Medicine, where he reported on measures related to sanitation and mosquito eradication. Aedes aegypti It was the best way to prevent illness and new outbreaks of yellow fever.
The strange fact about his vision is that the doctor was aware of the controversy raging in the country about it Peruvian warts and Oroya feverSome claimed that they were two stages of the same disease, while others stated that they were two different cases.
This would have caught Noguchi's attention La Oroya cannot be visitedBut it is known that he planned to return to investigate the matter, and even joined several doctors who conducted some experiments and publications, which led to Bartonella bacillus It was the cause of both evils.
Hideo Noguchi was 43 years old when she visited the national territory, and although she only stayed for a short time, she was very well received by the learned men of the time, and she was even able to talk to some of her Japanese compatriots residing in the country.
The scientist spent the rest of his life conducting various studies and devoted his works to syphilis, snake venom, immunological issues, etc. He was also the discoverer of the etiology of yellow fever. Years later, he traveled to Africa, a region struck by the fever. There, once settled, he became terribly ill and finally died on May 21, 1928, aged only 51.
Today there is a hospital bearing the name of the Japanese scientist, but in association with one of the most important doctors in Peru, resulting in what we know as… National Institute of Mental Health Honorio Delgado Hideo Noguchi.
This space, designed as a community mental health centre, was the result of the signing of an agreement with Japan. Initially it was named San Juan Bosco, but in 1981 a request was made to change its name.
Trying to choose her new name It symbolizes the bonds of brotherhood between Peru and Japan Through the images of two great men of science such as Honorio Delgado and Hideo Noguchi. It is worth noting that both of them made great contributions and will remain in memory as high-profile figures.
today is National Institute of Mental Health Honorio Delgado-Hideo Noguchi (INSMHDHN) It is a complex level III-2 institution of the Peruvian Ministry of Health (MENSA). This category corresponds to specialized institutes, in case Ensemahden Its focus is aimed at scientific research, the use of advanced technology and highly qualified professionals in the field of mental health prevention and psychiatry.
This institute is characterized by leadership, innovation and excellence, and also proposes standards for the benefit of health care development. Psychological health Of Peruvians.
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