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Medical Information / Translation 

There are two Japanese - English translators/interpreters now working at Takeda hospital. Ms. Miyoko Watanabe & Ms. Mai Muto. Here is a message from them:

"We provide language support for the patient at consultation, payment, and the pharmacy. When you require an interpreter, please use us by all means. Please contact us at the reception/information desk."

On Sunday, April 19, 1998 Aizu Wakamatsu City Hall hosted a meeting for foreigners to air their opinions about the medical services in the city. About 10 or 15 people showed up and we were able to have quite a good discussion. Some of the recommendations from that meeting were:

  • If you must use English to communicate with the doctor, remember to speak very slowly. Also, it will help if you write things down, since many doctors are better at reading than they are at speaking/listening. If possible, look up your symptoms in a dictionary so you can say them in Japanese.
  • If you have a problem with the treatment or care that you receive, report the situation to the Medical Association in Aizu Wakamatsu or the Public Health Division of City Hall.
  • If you receive especially good care from a certain doctor or clinic, please tell the International Association. We will keep an unofficial list of doctors who come recommended by the international community.
  • In our home countries, we are often encouraged to have an "escape route" planned in case of emergency. Apply this logic to living in Japan. Have a list of emergency phone numbers by the phone at all times. Appropriate numbers would be 119 (Ambulance/Fire), 110 (Police), and the phone number of someone (or some people) who can translate from your native language to Japanese.

The public health division of the city hall offers various health checks for adults including basic health examinations, turberculosis checks/x-rays, breast, uterine, lung, stomach and large intestine cancer checks. Ask at the city hall for more details.

You can donate blood at the donation centre located in Ikki-machi. 0242-24-6650

There is an excellent reference book called "The Japan Health Handbook" published by Kodansha. The International Association has a copy of it if you would like to have a look at it.

If you would like more information regarding medical services in general, plese contact the Association of Medical Doctors for Asia (AMDA) at 03-5285-8088 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm).

The Japan Helpline is run by volunteers. Call them (toll free) if you need some advice 0120-461-997 (24 hours).

The phone number of the local association of doctors is 0242-27-0528.