Lessons from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

An appropriate response is needed during radiation disasters.

Immediately after the Fukushima nuclear accident, one medical institution after another refused to accept patients who may have been contaminated with radioactive substances, resulting in people being given the runaround. In addition, when the evacuees visited medical institutions at their respective evacuation sites in order to continue treatment of their chronic illnesses, there were rumors that they “had brought the radiation with them.” As a result, local patients would avoid those medical institutions, causing no end of trouble. To prevent such circumstances from reoccurring, it is important the staff at medical institutions be correctly informed, and respond with a cool head.