Medical Information

Staying Healthy

| Sick Leave| Insurance Card | Clinic Info | Optometrists | STD & HIV Testing | Gynaecologists |
| Hospital Info |

Sick Leave

You have xx days of sick leave, known as byou-kyu (病休) in Japanese. Please call your school to inform them that you will not be going in. You will need to go to the doctor's office to obtain a receipt for medical treatment. Bring the receipt to school and make sure to attach it to your receipt. This is good for only one day of sick leave.

To obtain multiple days of sick leave, you will need a doctor's note explaining that you need several days of rest to recover. Some doctors may be surprised that you ask for such a note, because many Japanese people never ask for one.

Insurance Card

You will receive your medical insurance card at the beginning of the JET program. Don't lose it. It will be necceassary to present this card to have your insurance cover any medical costs.

Clinic Information

*Clinics in Japan usually close early or have the morning off on Thursdays.*

Clinics in Gakuentoshi

Tanke Clinic 丹家クリニック

Directions
Just across the street from the backdoor of Gourmet Foods.

Hours
The clinic opens from 8:30am to 12pm; and then re-opens again from 4pm till 7pm.

Foreign Languages
The nurses are helpful but their English is limited. The Doctor also speaks limited English.

Dental Clinics

There are two dental clinics in Gakuentoshi. One is above the station and the other one is across the road from Gourmet Foods, next to the Tanke Clinic. Some current JETs who have been to these two clinics said that the dentists were fairly skilful and recommend them.

Other Clinics

There is also an ear, nose & throat specialist above the station in Gakuentoshi. Rumors are that there is a lady who speaks rather good English, however the doctor is not exactly patient.

Clinics above Gakuentoshi station will not give out medicine but an order list for you to buy in the pharmacist located on the same floor.

Clinics in Hanayama

Information Pending

Clinics on Port Island

Information Pending

Optometrists

Eye exams for both contacts and glasses are covered by your health insurance. You should end up paying no more than \2000. Be sure to bring your health insurance card with you to your appointment. Or, keep the receipt and return to the office with your Insurance card for a refund.

If you are looking for contact lenses. There are a few optometrists in Center-gai, Sannomiya. Places to buy contact lenses are connected with glasses shops. A good optometrist is in the little alley behind the GAP clothing store in Center-gai. You will see it on the right-hand side walking towards Motomachi Station. Eye exams are free at glasses shops. Staff are trained to check your prescription and will do it for free.

STD & HIV Testing

If you believe you may have ccontracted an STD or require testing as part of your regular health check ups, there are a couple of places you can go. If you are female, you can go to a regular gynaecologist.

You can get tested for AIDS, Chlamydia, and Syphilis for free at public health clinics. In Kobe, there is a clinic on the 6th Floor of the West Building (西館 nishi-kan) of the Center Plaza building. Free testing is available every Monday from 6pm to 8pm and you will receive the results in one week. No booking is required. There is no translation service available, but the process is straight forward enough.

Gynaecologists

Ladies' Clinic Hayashi

レイディス・クリニック・ハヤシ

Recommended by past and current JETs. The doctor is female and speaks English well. Supposedly, there is only one English speaking doctor, so make sure that you request her when making your appointment.

Address:
Kobe-shi, Chuo-ku, Akashi-cho 32

Telephone:
078-393-8840

Directions:
The clinic is located near JR Motomachi station. It is on the 9th floor of the Meikai Building (明海ビール) Don't confuse it with the Shin-Meikai Building (新明海ビール). The building is located right behind Daimaru, towards the ocean. In the Meikai building there are many designer shops on the lower level. On the 9th floor, walk left down the hallway and there will be a sign to your right near the clinic's door that reads "Ladies Clinic" in katakana (レイディーズ・クリニック).

Check-in & Examination Procedures:
Go the reception desk and give them your insurance card. The receptionists do not speak English, but are very friendly. You will be handed paperwork to fill out, so try to get there a bit early. The form asks about your medical history and the reason for your visit. It does not take long, nor is it too personal. Before you are examined a nurse (or the doctor depending on your language skills) will ask you a few questions. You will be taken to a chair that will raise you, spin you, and then recline, so don't be alarmed. The doctor will offer whether or not you want the curtain opened or closed. The curtain gives only your upper half privacy, so it is up to you if you want to watch them examine you. The next point being, the doctor will examine you along with a few assistants; it is not a very private one-on-one examination.

If you are doing this with sick leave hours, when you leave you will want to ask for a special receipt that you will give to your vice-principal. Otherwise, you will get a very detailed receipt from your visit, listing everything from where you went to what you had done.

Hospital Information

Kobe City General Hospital

Japanese Name:
Kobe Chuo Shimin Byoin - 神戸市民病院

Address:
4-6 Minatojima Naka-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe

Telephone:
(078) 302-4321

Fax:
(078) 302-4424

Directions:
Take the Port Liner from Sannomiya station to the 5th stop, "Shimin Byoin Mae station" (approx. 10 min ride). There is a walkway from the station's 2nd floor to the hospital lobby leading directly into the registration area.

Parking:
Available

Hours:
Outpatient walk-in clinic hours:
Mon - Fri 9:00 - 12:00 (some areas may have limited hours, see �Specialist� below)
Outpatient clinic closed on Sat, Sun, national holidays and Dec 29 - Jan 3rd

Appointments:
After the first visit, appointments may be available through individual doctors; however, this is on a case-by-case basis.

Check-in Procedures:
For first visit, check-in with the registration desk on second floor to register your name and obtain a card. Answer questionnaire at the reception counter of the specialist you are visiting.

Insurance:
All Japanese National Health Insurance accepted; Present card.

Specialties:
The following specialties are available during outpatient clinic hours, unless otherwise noted below. Specialists in these departments may accept appointments at other times as well.

• Dentistry/Oral Surgery (Mon - Fri, 9:00 - 11:00 only)
• Dermatology
• Ear, Nose & Throat; aka Otorhinolaryngology (Wed & Fri, 9:00 - 11:00 only)
• Gynaecology/Obstetrics
• Internal Medicine
  • Circulatory
  • Diabetes (Mon - Wed only)
  • Endocrinologym
  • Gastroenterology (Mon - Wed only)
  • Immuno-hematology (Tue & Fri only)
  • Kidney (Tue - Fri only)
  • Psychiatry
  • Respiratory
• Neurology
• Ophthalmology
• Paediatrics
• Plastic Surgery
• Radiology
• Rehabilitation
• Surgery
• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Orthopaedic Surgery (Mon & Thu, 9:00 - 11:00only)
• Urology (Tue & Thu, 9:00 - 11:00 only)

Tests/Procedures:

Most equipment is available:

• CT scanner
• MRI, RI (radio Imaging = isotope exams)
• ultra sonograms
• biopsy
• angiographies, fiberscope, etc.

Emergency Level:
Tertiary (The highest level of emergency care in Kobe)

Emergency Hours:
This facility is a 24 hour emergency hospital and has physicians available at all times.

Emergency Procedures:
Call before going to the hospital if possible. Doctors are available 24 hours a day, but not all specialties are available at all times. Physicians are available on a "call in" basis; however, this decision is made by the attending physician. As a rule, anyone who comes to the hospital is seen, but patients may be referred to other facilities, which are geographically closer or have more openings. Facility is equipped to handle all emergencies at all times and has "Critical Care" emergency room and a 24 hour Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Emergency Specialists:
Internal medicine, surgery, gynaecology/obstetrics and paediatrics specialists are always available. Other specialties rotate from each department and a new schedule is made at the end of each month.

Emergency Check-in:
The procedure is no different from an ordinary visit, except that check-in is on the first floor. Present your Health Insurance card and/or hospital card at the counter and wait for your turn.

Emergency Costs:
If you do not have Japanese National Health Insurance coverage, a deposit of at least ￥6,000 is necessary. If you have insurance, a bill will be presented with outstanding charges, it is best to settle your bill within three days; otherwise you may incur additional fees.

Foreign Language:
There is no formal translation service available, but there are often people who speak English that can help (free of charge). There is also a brochure available in English.

Kobe Kaisei Hospital

*This hospital is recommended for its English-speaking staff by Nishat Toorabally (current KATE)*

Japanese Name:
神戸海星病院 - Kobe Kaisei Byoin

Address:
3-11-15 Shinohara Kitamachi, Nada-ku, Kobe

Telephone:
(078) 871-5201

Fax:
(078) 871-5206

Directions:
From Hankyu Rokko station: it is a 15 minute walk uphill or take bus #2 from the station (bound for Sannomiya) to the second stop, "Shinohara Honmachi 2-chome".

If your bus is from Sannomiya, the nearest bus stop is "Shinohara Honmachi 3-chome".

Parking:
Available. Parking tickets can be validated from the cashier for two hours of free parking.

Hospital Hours:
Outpatient walk-in clinic hours: Mon - Sat 8:30 - 11:30 (excluding holidays)
Some specialty areas have limited hours, see �Specialties� below.
Afternoon hours reserved for inpatient care and, occasionally outpatient appointments.
Inpatient visiting hours: 15:00 - 20:00

Appointments:
Appointments are generally not available in the morning, but may be available through physicians in the afternoon. The International Division encourages patients to make appointments to decrease waiting time (see "Additional Services").

Check-in Procedures:
For first visit, check-in at counter #1 to obtain registration card, proceed to outpatient department, and then wait to be called.
For follow-up visits, you may use the machine on first floor to check-in (there are instructions in English). For the International Division and Ophthalmology department, go directly to the department to check-in.

Insurance:
All Japanese National Health Insurance accepted. Present card. Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association insurance may be accepted soon.

Specialties:
The following specialties are available during outpatient clinic hours, unless otherwise noted. Specialists in these departments may accept appointments at other times.

• Clinical Pathology
• Dermatology
• Ear, Nose & Throat; aka Otorhinolaryngology
• Gastroenterology
• Internal Medicine
• Gynaecology/Obstetrics
• Neurosurgery (Sat only)
• Oriental Medicine (Sat only)
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopaedics
• Paediatrics
• Radiology
• Surgery

Tests/Procedures Available:
CT scanner and other general equipment is available.

Emergency Level:
Secondary

Emergency Hours:
This is a 24-hour emergency hospital.

Emergency Procedures:
Call before going to the hospital if possible. This hospital is on a rotating schedule, so a specialist may not always be available to accept your case.

Emergency Specialists:
There are no emergency room specialists who are always on duty. Physicians from various departments in the hospital are on a rotating schedule for the emergency room and are "on call" and may come in if the physician on duty cannot handle your case due to overcapacity or a lack of specialty expertise.

Emergency Check-in:
Enter the hospital on the east side of building at the third floor entrance. Check in at the office near entrance and fill out registration from (if this is your first visit), otherwise, show hospital card.

Emergency Costs:
A deposit is required when the cashier counter is closed. If you have National Insurance, ￥3,000 is required. Without Insurance, ￥5,000 ~ 10,000 is needed, depending on your case. This deposit is refundable when you settle your bill with the accounting office.

Foreign Language:
Many physicians and staff speak English, especially in the International Division. There is a volunteer service group available to help with communication problems.

Additional Services:
International Counselling Centre: a counselling service affiliated with Kobe Kaisei Hospital.

International Division:
A ward in the hospital catering foreign patients. Internal medicine specialists, who speak English, have experience overseas, or foreign doctors are available.

Volunteer Service Group:
A volunteer group established to provide special services to patients in the international division of Kobe Kaisei Hospital. The service includes visiting/helping patients, reading to them, providing information and language assistance, etc.
Languages include: Japanese, English, Portuguese, French, German, Spanish, Turkish, Indonesian, Russian, Urdu, Hindi, Farsi and Arabic.
Service is available Mon - Sat 8:30 - 11:30. Help for outpatients is available too.

Kobe University Hospital

Japanese Name
神戸大学病院 - Kobe Daigaku Byoin

Address
7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe

Telephone:
(078) 341-7451

Fax:
(078) 351-5197

Directions:
From JR Kobe or Kosoku Kobe station, take city bus #6 from the bus terminal and get off at the �Daigaku-Byoin-mae� station. By subway: exit Okurayama station, 5-minute walk northwest behind Kobe Bunka Hall.

Parking:
Available

Hospital Hours:
Outpatient walk-in clinic hours: Mon – Fri, 8:30 ~ 11:00 Outpatient clinic closes on Sat, Sun, national holidays and Dec 29 ~ Jan 3

Appointments:
Accepted for breast cancer screenings and other tests. Appointments may be available with physicians after the first visit and should be made by phone after 13:00 Mon – Fri (also cancellations or changes to the appointment). Appointments may change, so verify with the hospital before going. Assistance is available at desk #6.

Check-in Procedures:
It is best to have a referral for this hospital, but you can be seen without one (Note: If you do not have a referral, charges may be more expensive). First time consultations are limited to certain days, so call ahead. At the hospital, fill out registration from and hand it in to the new outpatient registration desk #2. Then check-in at the reception desk for your department. Ask at the General Information desk if you have questions.

Insurance:
All Japanese National Health Insurance accepted. Present card.

Specialties:
The following specialties are available during outpatient clinic hours, unless otherwise noted below. Specialists in these departments may accept appointments at other times.

• Anaesthesiology (Mon, Wed, Fri)
• Dentistry/Oral Surgery (Wed & Thu for follow-up visits only)
• Dermatology
• Ear, Nose & Throat; aka Otorhinolaryngology (Thu for follow-up visits only)
• Geriatrics (Mon, Tue, Fri {Mon & Fri for follow-up visits only})
• Gynaecology/Obstetrics (Thu for follow-up visits only)
• Internal Medicine I
• Internal Medicine II
• Internal Medicine III (Tue & Thu for follow-up visits only)
• Neurosurgery
• Neurology/Psychiatry
• Orthopaedic Surgery (Mon, Wed, Thu)
• Paediatrics
• Plastic Surgery (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri)
• Radiology
• Surgery
• Urology (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri)

Tests/Procedures Available:
This is a teaching facility, so most equipment is available.

• CT scanner
• X-rays
• MRI, RI
• ultra sonograms
• various fiberscope
• extra-corporeal shock wave
• lithotripsy, etc.

Emergency Level:
Secondary

Emergency Hours:
This is a 24-hour hospital, but you should call ahead for a physician & specialist schedule.

Emergency Procedures:
Call before going to the hospital if possible.

Emergency Specialists:
Availability based on the doctor's schedule.

Emergency Check-in:
Check-in at the guardroom and you will be given instructions.

Emergency Costs:
No deposit is required, but you must settle your bill within a week. Bring insurance card if you have one.

Foreign Language:
Some doctors and nurses speak English (and German), but there is no guarantee that there will be one on shift when you are there.

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