We Are Tomodachi Japan and Russia Edition 2017

8/20

8Feature: Eight-Point Cooperation Plan Bears FruitIn 1990, a three-year-old boy on Sakhalin Island received burns to 90% of his body. In response to a request from those on the island, the Japanese government promptly decided to accept the child for treatment without a visa. The child was urgently transported to Sapporo Medical University Hospital where he underwent a skin grafting surgical operation that saved his life.Dr. Hajime Kamada, chairperson of the Board of Directors for Hokuto Social Medical Corporation which manages Hokuto Hospital in the city of Obihiro in Hokkaido, recalls: “Because the treatment was done at my alma mater, it made me start to feel that I have a close connection with Russia.”Hokuto Hospital focuses its effort on preventive health care through detecting illnesses at an early stage and preventing the onset of symptoms. In May 2013, Hokuto Hospital established the Hokuto Diagnostic Imaging Center in Vladivostok, Russia’s Far Eastern neighbor to Hokkaido. The center was established to internationally promote health and longevity throughout society, in line with the Japanese government’s efforts to promote overseas expansion of Japanese medical care. According to Dr. Kamada, “Preventive medical care, such as undergoing examinations and treatment before the appearance of symptoms, was not practiced very widely in the region. By examining the brain, heart, and other areas with magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and ultrasonography, early detection and treatment of serious illnesses become possible.” Japanese engineers and Russian physicians are permanently stationed at the diagnostic imaging center. In addition, the image data is forwarded to Hokuto Hospital in Japan, allowing doctors from both Japan and Russia to double check the data. Dr. Kamada further explains, “Russian patients also undergo surgery at Hokuto Hospital. Since the progress after surgery can be observed at the diagnostic imaging center, the patients only require a short-term stay in Japan.”Supporting Russian Quality of Lifewith Japanese Health CareA presentation about Japanese-style rehabilitation. Scheduled to open in the near future, the rehabilitation center will be staffed by about five Russian individuals who will be guided by an expert physical therapist assigned from Japan.