April 16, 2024
Lithuania's Minister of Health Arūnas Dulkys Visits Keio University Hospital
On March 25, a delegation led by Arūnas Dulkys, Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania, and Dr. Aurelijus Zykas, Ambassador of Lithuania in Japan, visited the Keio University Hospital at Shinanomachi Campus.
The visit began with Hospital Director General Morio Matsumoto introducing the hospital's innovative initiatives across multiple areas, including artificial intelligence. Professor Yasumichi Arai, the director of the Center for Supercentenarian Medical Research, explained that research was being conducted at the hospital to uncover the mechanisms behind healthy longevity. They discussed the epidemiological surveys of centenarians, supercentenarians, and other older people, such as the Kawasaki Aging and Wellbeing Project, highlighting the fact that maintaining health and quality of life (QOL) requires multifaceted support through physical aspects of medical care and nursing, as well as collaboration within the community. The presentations were followed by a constant flow of questions, fostering a lively exchange of ideas envisioning the future of an aging society.
The delegation was then shown innovations throughout the hospital, including WHILL's next-generation electric wheelchairs as part of the Innovative AI Hospital System project, as well as prescription-filling and delivery robots. At the Emergency and Trauma Center, Assistant Professor Yukio Sato gave an overview of the operations and facilities of the Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine. The delegation showed particular interest in the hospital’s emergency medical system due to the role doctors and nurses from the department played as dispatched medical staff during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics & Paralympics Games.
To conclude their visit, they stopped at the Center for Medical Genetics to see a bioinformatics research lab and engaged in a spirited discussion with Professor Kenjiro Kosaki.
The visit highlighted the enduring connection between Lithuania and Japan, as well as Keio University, with Yukichi Fukuzawa being recognized as one of the first Japanese people to visit Lithuania.
The visit began with Hospital Director General Morio Matsumoto introducing the hospital's innovative initiatives across multiple areas, including artificial intelligence. Professor Yasumichi Arai, the director of the Center for Supercentenarian Medical Research, explained that research was being conducted at the hospital to uncover the mechanisms behind healthy longevity. They discussed the epidemiological surveys of centenarians, supercentenarians, and other older people, such as the Kawasaki Aging and Wellbeing Project, highlighting the fact that maintaining health and quality of life (QOL) requires multifaceted support through physical aspects of medical care and nursing, as well as collaboration within the community. The presentations were followed by a constant flow of questions, fostering a lively exchange of ideas envisioning the future of an aging society.
The delegation was then shown innovations throughout the hospital, including WHILL's next-generation electric wheelchairs as part of the Innovative AI Hospital System project, as well as prescription-filling and delivery robots. At the Emergency and Trauma Center, Assistant Professor Yukio Sato gave an overview of the operations and facilities of the Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine. The delegation showed particular interest in the hospital’s emergency medical system due to the role doctors and nurses from the department played as dispatched medical staff during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics & Paralympics Games.
To conclude their visit, they stopped at the Center for Medical Genetics to see a bioinformatics research lab and engaged in a spirited discussion with Professor Kenjiro Kosaki.
The visit highlighted the enduring connection between Lithuania and Japan, as well as Keio University, with Yukichi Fukuzawa being recognized as one of the first Japanese people to visit Lithuania.
Group photo in the meeting room with Arūnas Dulkys, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania, and Dr. Aurelijus Zykas, Ambassador of Lithuania in Japan
Minister of Health Arūnas Dulkys (left) and Hospital Director General Morio Matsumoto (right)
The reception at the Center for Medical Genetics, led by Prof. Kosaki (center left)
During discussions at the Center for Medical Genetics
Photo: Aki Takematsu
