Japan health system in crisis

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=302162

Medical services are collapsing in many parts of Japan.

Doctor shortages are especially acute in obstetric-gynecological, pediatric and emergency care departments. It is high time that the government, lawmakers and the public seriously start discussing how to increase the number of doctors and nurses and how to improve their working conditions, including securing sufficient budgetary funds.

A telling statistic in the current crisis is that, in 2006, 667 pregnant women being transported by ambulance were refused admittance by three or more hospitals. Also, as many as 1,012 pregnant women had to wait more than 30 minutes in ambulances until a hospital could be found that would accept them.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Japan has two physicians per 1,000 people (as of 2004), almost the lowest among developed countries. As a result, a Japanese doctor must see more patients than in other developed countries. Working conditions for hospital doctors in Japan are harsh, with some doctors on duty for up to 36 hours straight.
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How can you be up 36 hours??? Harsh is an understatement

Oh, wait...there are no such things in Japan. Nevermind...

If you're a doctor making 200,000/year and pay half the taxes anybody else making the same amount, I think more people would migrate towards the medical field given enough time.

in developed nation

I know historically, they've been very reluctant, especially where non-Asians are involved.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7084749.stm



"Firstly, a low number of babies now points to a shortage of workers in the future. In 2000, two-thirds of Japan's population were between the ages of 15 and 64. By 2050, that figure will be around the 50% mark...

That means that unless the government makes a U-turn on immigration or persuades more women and retirees back to work, companies will soon be struggling to fill jobs - bringing obvious economic implications"





this is a part 1 of a series on bbc news website