Network System for Radiation Emergency Medicine in Japan and the Role of Hiroshima University

Abstract

On the basis of the lessons of the Tokai-mura nuclear criticality accident, Japan decided to develop a new system for the nation’s radiation emergency medicine. A new medical system would be prepared and function depending on the severity of each patient’s injury, such as primary stage (slight injury), secondary stage, or tertiary stage (serious injury). This system would create a network that would coordinate medical treatment efforts in an emergency. Tertiary radiation emergency hospitals with sufficient ability for advanced medical care and overall responsibility in a radiation emergency should be established. In 2004, the Japanese government designated Hiroshima University and the National Institute of Radiological Sciences as “regional tertiary radiation emergency hospitals” for western and eastern Japan, respectively. Construction of a radiation emergency medical care system is an urgent international issue, and the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are pushing forward planning it in response to the nuclear terrorism threat and the Chernobyl nuclear accident. However, there are extremely few specialists, and there is almost no organization that is able to play a central role of radiation emergency medicine: regenerative medicine development. Hiroshima University has a high medical standard and does world-class research in the relevant fields, and it has already achieved a role as a WHO liaison institute. This institute will provide education in radiation emergency medicine and create an international standard.