Learning from Japanese healthcare system

Japan, a long trusted friend of Bangladesh is not only the leader in automobiles and electronics but also has become the world's leader in healthcare. The excellence of Japanese healthcare system has been reflected by the fact that the nation has the longest life expectancy and lowest infant mortality rate. And the achievements came for a much lower cost than many other developed countries.

A baby girl born today in Japan can expect to live to 87 and a baby boy to 83. Whereas in Bangladesh, life expectancy at present is 67 years — 20 years less than that of Japan. One of the reasons behind Japan’s longest life expectancy is a well-thought-out plan for prevention. It is difficult to explain that whole plan of action in a limited space and scope. However, a single Japanese key word may help to explain the basis of the system known as the Ningen Dock.

Ningen is the Japanese word meaning human whereas Dock is an abbreviation of the word dockyard. In providing healthcare to the people, Japan embraced a vision that every human being is like a floating vessel. The prime requirement for a vessel to remain afloat, be it a boat or a ship, is its balance. A well balanced vessel can keep sailing through the roughest of seas for years, provided the balance has been maintained and it has undergone systematic inspection at a dockyard from time to time.

From the healthcare point of view, one can easily understand the analogy of a dockyard with a hospital, where check-up is done for thorough inspection of the human body. However, maintaining the balance both physically and mentally thus living in harmony, is a concept unique to Japan. And Ningen Dock is the essence of this concept.

Ningen Dock is a separate medical specialty in the healthcare system of Japan. Doctors of this specialty are trained to execute cutting edge technology based health check-up combined with guidance and advice on living a balanced and harmonious life. And this ingenious combination has contributed to a healthier and longer life span for the Japanese people. The government has made it mandatory for all to undergo regular Ningen Dock, both in the public as well as private sectors.

According to the national health policy of the Bangladesh, life expectancy has been targeted to extend to 70 years by the year 2021. In order to reach the target, we should  make a well thought out plan like Ningen Dock concept with the help of experts from Japan though seminars. This is more important for a resource poor country where prevention is always better strategy.

Japan has been a partner, a kind friend in our many development sectors including healthcare. Japan is ready to share their experience and has already opened their health services to the rest of the world through Medical Excellence Japan and other projects. This innovative concept has been pioneered by the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is now in Bangladesh on a state visit. There is huge scope for our healthcare development through bilateral collaboration, exchange of skills and introducing effective concept like Ningen Dock.

The writer is the Advisor, Medical Excellence JAPAN and Vice Chairman, Japan-Bangladesh Society.

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