With Five-Month Waiting Lists for Initial Appointments, Nagasaki Introduces ‘Blue Doctor’ system for Children with Developmental Disabilities

From KTN

April 17 2026

NAGASAKI – In an effort to strengthen the medical system for children with developmental disabilities, the prefecture has certified pediatricians and other specialists who have completed specialized training as ‘Nagasaki Blue Doctors.’

Forty-eight individuals, including pediatricians within the prefecture who underwent training regarding developmental disabilities, have been certified as Nagasaki Blue Doctors.

There are currently three specialized medical institutions for developmental disabilities within the prefecture. In fiscal year 2024, the number of patients reached approximately 33,000, a 1.5-fold increase compared to ten years ago, and the waiting period for an initial consultation now stands at five months.

In addition to these specialized institutions, the prefecture is launching a new project for fiscal year 2025 aimed at providing diagnosis and ‘Ryoi-ku’ (developmental support/rehabilitation) within local communities.

Along with strengthening the system for early diagnosis, the project will also establish a network among physicians to share handled cases and expertise.

Kenji Koyanagi, Director of the Prefectural Children’s Medical and Welfare Center, stated: “Looking ahead to the next five years, we want to create a flow where families first consult a Blue Doctor, who can then connect them to the specialized developmental centers as needed.”

The list of Nagasaki Blue Doctors is published on the prefecture’s official website, and the government plans to continue increasing the number of registered practitioners.