The Pediatrics Department was established on the 2nd of June, 1923, concurrent with the opening of the hospital. With a focus on heart, kidney, premature and neonatal treatment, we also specialize in hematology; oncology; neurology; endocrinology and metabolism; asthma and allergies; and psychosomatic disorders. We have also created a system in which a tertiary medical response to our pediatric patients is possible 24 hours a day in emergency, through Emergency and Critical Care Center, along with collaboration from the intensive care unit and Perinatal Centre.

We also operate ambulances for ambulatory care and have a helicopter in operation in which patients from areas including Hiroshima and Tottori have been transported to this hospital previously. A feature of our approach to night emergency pediatric care involves networking with local physicians in the area and assisting with diagnoses and conducting education.

Our general area in which we service includes as far east as Himeji, west as Onomichi, north as Tsuyama and Niimi and can also stretch to include Tottori and Shimane prefectures. In the year 2000, we were designated as a comprehensive Perinatal Center by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as one part of large scale policy, making us the hub of neonatal treatment for western Okayama Prefecture. With the cooperation of the Kurashiki Board of Education, we have also established a system in which patients can complete both primary and junior secondary school who are staying for long periods of time in the hospital, in order to support the educational needs of our patients.

Department Objectives

Objective 1: To work towards increasing specialist knowledge

For peace of mind for both our patients and members of the local medical community, we aim at providing both specialized and focused treatment in areas including heart; kidney; premature and neonatal treatment; hematology; oncology; neurology; endocrinology and metabolism; asthma and allergies; and psychosomatic disorders. We also work towards the advancement of clinical research and information sharing throughout the community.

Objective 2: To strengthen regional medical partnerships

We are working towards advancing both the efficient allocation of treatment according to hospital capability through a treatment partnership approach and we also aim at combining each appropriate specialty of partner institutions for maximum patient outcomes through a specialized approach to regional partnerships.

Objective 3: To actively work towards preventative management of children’s health through vaccinations and screening of infants.

Objective 4: To maintain our 24 hour, 365 day medical response system, while further improving outcomes for this.

Objective 5: To further improve our residency program in order to help training pediatricians reach their full potential.

We respond to all pediatric conditions, including infections, asthma and convulsive conditions. Furthermore, we work together with the staff from the ICU to respond to conditions that require emergency tertiary treatment, including status epilepticus and severe respiratory failure as a result of asthma, infant RS virus infection, etc.

1. Heart conditions
2. Conditions of the kidneys
3. Perinatal Centre, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
4. ICU
5. Emergency
6. Blood conditions and malignant tumors
7. Neurodevelopment
8. Asthma, allergies
9. Psychosomatic disorders, children’s mental outpatient clinic
10. Endocrine and metabolic conditions
11. Other