Kitahara International Hospital To Further Assist ASEAN Countries

By Azlina Aziz KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Tokyo-based Kitahara International Hospital Group will continue to offer its expertise to ASEAN countries in ensuring its people gain equal access to adequate and sufficient healthcare. Well known for its neurosurgical treatment, the medical group has contributed to national and international efforts to improve healthcare through medical and educational activities. It is currently constructing the first phase of an international-standard critical-care centre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which, when completed, will offer the state-of-the-art medical technology and highly-trained staff. The first phase of the centre, privately funded at a cost of four billion yen (US$33.5 million), would be the maiden project first in ASEAN when it begins operations in January 2016, said Kitahara Neurosurgical Institute (KNI) Chairman Dr Shigemi Kitahara. "We have started offering our services and are now constructing a hospital in Cambodia and plan to extend it to the rest of ASEAN with the aim of not only providing patients with high-quality treatment but also to boost education and training for local medical staff. "Next, we are looking at Laos," he said at a briefing for Asean journalists who visited Japan under a journalists invitation programme organised recently by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Japan. He added that Vietnam had also requested for the esteemed organisation to look at similar opportunities in that country. "However, there are certain things that have to be considered. But, as they (Vietnam) really need our help, we have already dispatched some experts to conduct feasibility studies with the assistance of the Japanese government,” Kitahara said. Offering assistance is a top priority to the group as its ultimate goal, among others, is to build advanced medical care and education system in the region; develop more and better human resource in medical field and to assist countries in the region to be self-sustaining in quality healthcare systems. The Kitahara International Hospital was established in 1995 in Hachioji City, just outside of Tokyo. Originally built as a hospital specialising in neurosurgery, it has grown to provide comprehensive medical care for both neurosurgery and cardiology patients throughout all stages from preventive treatment to rehabilitation. With 20 years experience in hospital operation the Kitahara International Hospital is now stepping forward to offer a critical-care centre equipped with the state-of-the-art medical technology and highly-trained doctors from Asean countries. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA