Category: Medical

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 3, 2024 2
Disability Health Japan Medical Transplantation

3 Universities in Japan Prepare to Start Performing Heart Transplants; Move Aimed at Easing Strain on Medical Transplant System

The move comes as the number of organs provided from brain-dead donors increases. It also follows a recent survey that found medical institutions had declined 16 heart donations from such donors in 2023 due to a shortage of manpower and hospital beds. The number of medical facilities capable of performing heart transplants will increase to 14 nationwide after the hospitals at three national universities — Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Okayama University and Ehime University — are approved to perform such operations.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 5, 2024 Number of comments0
Hospitals Japan Medical

Sysmex Raided for Alleged Tie-In Sales of Hospital Equipment

The Japan Fair Trade Commission on Tuesday conducted an on-site inspection of medical equipment maker Sysmex Corp. in the western Japan city of Kobe on suspicion of illegal tie-in sales of hemostasis analyzers and test reagents. The company allegedly urged hospitals and other customers to use only its test reagents whey they purchased its hemostasis analyzers, while suggesting that it would not sell the products if the customers refused to use the reagents.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 28, 2024 Number of comments0
Health Japan Medical

Tohoku University Researchers Find Trigger for Epileptic Seizures

Tohoku University researchers have identified a potential trigger for epileptic seizures, or bursts of brain cell hyperactivity, linked to the activity of glial cells that support neurons in the brain.

The findings suggest that new epilepsy treatments could be developed if it becomes possible to control glial cells. The research was published in an international journal last month.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 14, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Elderly Employment Hospitals Japan Medical

Japan to Hike Outpatient Visit Fees to Increase Hospital Worker Pay

A Japanese government advisory panel Wednesday proposed hikes in hospital visit fees paid by outpatients for their initial and follow-up medical examinations, in order to increase salaries of health care workers.

For the year starting in April, Japan will revise fees for the three care-related services covered by public insurance–the medical and elderly care services and the welfare service for people with disabilities–together for the first time in six years.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 13, 2024 1
Japan Medical Organ Donation Transplantation

Pigs for Organ Transplant Created for First Time in Japan

Japanese biotechnology startup PorMedTec Co. said Tuesday it has successfully created pigs for organ transplant into humans for the first time in Japan.

The Meiji University-driven firm used cells of pigs developed for xenotransplantation by U.S. startup eGenesis it imported in September last year. To suppress immune responses, the cell’s 10 genes were re-engineered.

Three genetically modified clone pigs were born on Sunday, PorMedTec said.