Yae Ibuka
Encyclopedia
Yae Ibuka（井深八重1897-1989) was a Japanese nurse who worked for leprosy patients. She was diagnosed as having leprosy, and hospitalized at Koyama Fukusei Hospital
in 1919. It proved a misdiagnosis three years later, but she was deeply impressed by Drouart de Lézey, the director of the hospital, and she was determined to work for leprosy patients as a nurse. In 1961, she was given the Florence Nightingale Medal.
, when she developed a skin change, which was diagnosed as a sign of leprosy. She was hospitalized at Koyama Fukusei Hospital without knowing the diagnosis. The diagnosis was shocking to her. Since her disease did not progress, she sought the diagnosis of Prof. Keizo Dohi of Tokyo University in 1922. Leprosy was denied. Observing the director of the hospital, she was determined to work for leprosy patients and became a nurse. In 1923, she became the only one qualified nurse at the hospital. She had remained the chief nurse at the hospital until April 6, 1978, when she became the honorary chief nurse. Her dedication to leprosy patients was highly appreciated. She became the first president of Japan Catholic Nurses' Association. She died on May 15, 1989, one day before the 100th year anniversary of the Koyama Fukusei Hospital. On May 16, she was given a special award by Princess Takamatsu (Kikuko) of Japan.
Koyama Fukusei Hospital
is the oldest Hansen's disease hospital in Japan which was established by Father Germain LégerTestvuide in 1889. In 2009, there are 8 ex-leprosy residents, while, the hospital is open to the public.-The spelling of the hospital:...
in 1919. It proved a misdiagnosis three years later, but she was deeply impressed by Drouart de Lézey, the director of the hospital, and she was determined to work for leprosy patients as a nurse. In 1961, she was given the Florence Nightingale Medal.
The pronunciation of Koyama Fukusei Hospital
- "Kohyama Fukusei Hospital" or "Kōyama Fukusei Hospital". Koyama Fukusei Hospital is described in the reference and Koyama Fukusei HospitalKoyama Fukusei Hospitalis the oldest Hansen's disease hospital in Japan which was established by Father Germain LégerTestvuide in 1889. In 2009, there are 8 ex-leprosy residents, while, the hospital is open to the public.-The spelling of the hospital:...
Life
In 1897 she was born in Formosa as a daughter of a congressman, Hikosaburo Ibuka. She graduated from Doshisha Women's College(now University), and she was teaching English at NagasakiNagasaki
is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. Nagasaki was founded by the Portuguese in the second half of the 16th century on the site of a small fishing village, formerly part of Nishisonogi District...
, when she developed a skin change, which was diagnosed as a sign of leprosy. She was hospitalized at Koyama Fukusei Hospital without knowing the diagnosis. The diagnosis was shocking to her. Since her disease did not progress, she sought the diagnosis of Prof. Keizo Dohi of Tokyo University in 1922. Leprosy was denied. Observing the director of the hospital, she was determined to work for leprosy patients and became a nurse. In 1923, she became the only one qualified nurse at the hospital. She had remained the chief nurse at the hospital until April 6, 1978, when she became the honorary chief nurse. Her dedication to leprosy patients was highly appreciated. She became the first president of Japan Catholic Nurses' Association. She died on May 15, 1989, one day before the 100th year anniversary of the Koyama Fukusei Hospital. On May 16, she was given a special award by Princess Takamatsu (Kikuko) of Japan.
Honors
- In 1959, she was given the Order of St. Sylvester by Pope John XXIII.
- In 1961, she was given the Florence Nightingale Medal.
- In 1977, she was given the Asahi Social Welfare Award.