Saitama Prefecture signed an agreement with ventilator manufacturers to share patient information and save lives in order to protect the lives of patients with intractable diseases on ventilators even in the event of a power outage during a disaster.
The agreement was signed by the prefecture, support groups for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and their families, and four ventilator manufacturers.
ALS is an intractable disease in which the muscles of the whole body gradually stop moving, and when the symptoms progress, it is necessary to wear a ventilator.
According to the prefecture, as of the end of December last year, 88 ALS patients in the prefecture were using ventilators at home, and they are worried about whether they will have enough emergency batteries in the event of a power outage.
In the agreement concluded in response to this situation, when an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 5-lower or higher or a strong typhoon was approaching, the manufacturer reported to the prefecture the situation of patients ascertained, and the prefecture shared that information with the public health center. In addition, we will take measures to protect lives, such as requesting firefighters to be dispatched if necessary.
Hideyuki Nakamura, who developed ALS nine years ago, asked his wife, Shizuka, to read it for him. I want you to proceed and lead to ensuring the safety of patients at home."