Hokkaido Welfare Federation Hospitals: Their Role to Play in Improving Regional Medical Care.

Abstract

The Hokkaido Welfare Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives runs a total of 15 hospitals including six general hospitals. Each hospital constitutes a nucleus of medical care facilities for people in each region of Hokkaido, Japan's largest prefecture. In addition to daily medical consultation, examination and treatment, they are carrying out extensive programs associated with health control for inhabitants in agricultural districts and care for the aged, whose number is increasing at a fast clip. In this paper, the author will review their activities in the past and present, and dwell on the future.