Democratic clinics take root in communities

The Japan Federation of Democratic Medical Institutions (Min-iren) on September 7 held its 7th national exchange assembly in Tokyo with 2,700 medical personnel attending.

Min-iren is an alliance of 1,500 hospitals and clinics throughout Japan with about 50,000 medical staff. Its activities started with a few democratic clinics to provide medical care for disadvantaged people after the war. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Min-iren founding. Together with solidarity organizations and 2,940,000 membership. Min-iren makes efforts to provide high quality, compassionate medical care in the interests of patients and protect the lives and health of working people.

Participants of the gathering reported on their activities and experiences in defending medical, nursing, welfare services, and the environment at each community, and actively exchanged opinions to overcome adverse conditions of social security enforced by the present government.

Taniguchi Toshimasa (71) from Fukuoka Prefecture reported on his group's relief activities in a flood-stricken city. The group, as a Min-iren member organization, gave free check-ups at evacuation centers and made house calls to flood victims. In a heavily damaged area, staff of all four Min-iren clinics of the city visited 250 houses in the evenings after their work shifts finished to check on the safety of the local residents. In the downtown area of the city where 80 percent of the buildings were flooded above floor level, Min-iren doctors and nurses together with democratic organizations carried out free legal counsellings on the repair of buildings and reopening businesses.

Yamada Tsutomu (73) from Tokyo reported on an activity to counter the fliers delivered by an unidentified organization slandering Min-iren clinics in the community. "We can go and see Min-iren doctors even at night. They devote themselves to us and Min-iren clinics exist for the benefit of local residents," said Yamada.

A medical employee from Tokyo reported on an incident in which a patient of a Min-iren clinic was unlawfully arrested because he protested against Komei Party members slandering the clinic with loud speakers at an ear-deafening volume. The employee said, "We conducted a support action to defend the patient and finally won a non-prosecution. Neighboring residents listened to our claim." (end)