Comprehensive Care for Hemophiliacs: Activities of North Kyushu Hemophilia Center at the University Hospital of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan

One of our objectives in establishing the Hemophilia Center was to create a model of a total care system for chronic diseases which develop in the childhood and continue through adulthood. We also believe that the comprehensive medical care system should be introduced not only for the care of hemophiliacs but also for those with every chronic refractory disease. It may be a surprise that in a university hospital, which is likely to lack cooperation between departments, this kind of cross sectional support system, even extending to activities outside the hospital, has been continued. This success owes much to the understanding and consideration by successive Directors of the Hospital and the Professors (Directors) of every department, the enthusiastic efforts by members of the Center who have continued their volunteer work for the purpose of improving the QOL of patients, and the cooperation by students of the Volunteer Study Club. We also have to mention the advice and guidance by Dr. Minoru Inagaki (now at the National Children's Hospital) who established the first substantial hemophilia center in Ogikubo Hospital, and Dr. Kaneo Yamada, present Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, St. Marianna University. We would like to thank every one who has supported the activities of the Center. Finally, we strongly hope that this total care system will become popular among those responsible for caring of patients with other chronic refractory diseases.