15. Infants
Infant Assistance System
The infant assistance system is as follows.
- Visit and Consultation for Newborn Babies
When one month has passed since your first baby is born, a midwife commissioned by the municipality will visit you and you can consult with him/her about your baby. (In the case of any following pregnancies, the midwife will visit you if necessary.) The midwife commissioned by the municipality has identification and will call you before visiting you. Be wary of door-to-door sales companies which purport to provide guidance for baby-care. Ask the following office about the visit and guidance for a newborn baby.
◆Inquiries◆
| Hamada City Office / Child-care Support Division / Children and Domestic Affairs Tel (0855)22-2612 Ext.162 / 167 Dates & Hours : Mon.-Fri. 8:30-17:15 (Except holidays, year-end and new-year) |
Infant Health Consultation
If you are anxious about your child's development such as walking and talking, you can consult with a specialist pediatrician or public health nurse for no charge. The dates and times and places are fixed, so contact the municipal office where you applied for alien registration and ask if you need an appointment. Health consultation arrangements may vary between municipalities.
◆Inquiries◆
| Hamada City Office / Child-care Support Division / Children and Domestic Affairs Tel (0855)22-2612 Ext.162 / 167 Dates & Hours : Mon.-Fri. 8:30-17:15 (Except holidays, year-end and new-year) |
Infant Health Examination
In the 3 years after birth, a health examination can be received five times at no cost. When children turn the following age, they can receive a health examination.
| Type of Examination | The Method of Examination | Place of Examination | The Method of Notification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-month Examination | Individual Examination | Children's Hospital in the City | Recorded in the additional volume of Mother and Child Health Handbook |
| 4～5-month child Examination | Group Examination | Child-care Support Center | Individual Notification |
| 10-month child Examination | Individual Examination | Children's Hospital in the City | Recorded in the additional volume of Mother and Child Health Handbook |
| One and a half year-old child Examination | Group Examination | Child-care Support Center | Individual Notification |
| 3-year-old child Examination | Group Examination | Child-care Support Center | Individual Notification |
Medical Treatment for Infants
The Medical Treatment Assistance System for Infants differs between prefectures. In Shimane, the medical treatment expense assistance provided is listed below. For example, when a child under 3 years of age receives medical treatment as an outpatient, he/she can receive the treatment at the same hospital again and again if you pay 1,000 yen per month. (Except for "dental clinics" in general hospitals) You need to apply for the assistance. Please enquire at the following offices for details. You need your Health Insurance Card and personal seal for the application. Furthermore, when you receive the treatment, submit your Health Insurance Card and Certificate of Infant Medical Treatment Recipient Qualification to the reception desk of the medical institution.
| Age Requirement | Assistance Requirement | Charged Expense |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 years old | Entering / visiting hospital | 1,000 yen per month |
| 3 years or older before entering school | Entering hospital | 10% of total medical expense (up to 15,000 yen per month) |
| Until 20 years old after entering school (Group of 5 diseases including Asthma) |
Entering hospital within one month | 10% of total medical expense (up to 15,000 yen per month) |
※The contents may differ between municipalities.
◆Inquiries◆
| Hamada City Office / Welfare General Affairs Division / Insurance Section Tel (0855)22-2612 Ext.156 / 158 Dates & Hours : Mon.-Fri. 8:30-17:15 (Except holidays, year-end and new-year) |
Vaccination
The types of vaccination recommended for children are listed below. Vaccinations are not compulsory although the nation and municipality encourages it. Therefore, it is up to parents whether children are vaccinated or not. Depending on the type of vaccination, children should be inoculated several times within a certain period of time and at certain intervals. Make an accurate plan of inoculation for your child.
| Type | Vaccination Age | Classification | Period of Vaccination | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polio (Infantile Paralysis) | Three months old ～ Seven and a half years old | Group Vaccinations | Contact Hamada City Office / Child-care Support Division / Children and Domestic Affairs (Ext.162 / 167) for details. | No Charge |
| Tuberculin (Tuberculosis) | Three months old ～ Four years old | Tuberculin vaccinations will be given in a group, but BCG Vaccinations will be given individually. | ||
| Measles | One year old ～ Seven years and six months old | Individual Vaccinations in a designated medical institution | ||
| Rubella (German Measles) | One year old ～ Seven and a half years old | |||
| DPT Vaccine (Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus) | Three months old ～ Seven and a half years old | |||
| Japanese Encephalitis | Thirty-six months old ～ Seven and a half years old |
◆Inquiries for Vaccination◆
| Hamada City Office / Child-care Support Division / Children and Domestic Affairs Tel (0855)22-2612 Ext.162 / 167 Dates & Hours : Mon.-Fri. 8:30-17:15 (Except holidays, year-end and new-year) |
Places to Meet Other Parents
At the following locations, parents can meet each other. A range of events is planned throughout the year and it is an opportunity to communicate with Japanese parents and children. Contact the following places.
| Public Hall where you live | Once a month, events such as sing-a-songs and other entertainment are held. |
| Child-care Support Center | Consultation is available. This center provides a place for parents and children where they can have fun and interact with one another. Tel (0855)22-1253 |
| Tanpopo-hiroba (Expecting Mothers' Day) |
A monthly event where expecting mothers can get together and interact with one another. Contact Child-care Support Division for itinerary.Place: Child-care Support Center Child-care Support Division / Children and Domestic Affairs Tel (0855)22-2612 Ext.162 / 167 |
Nursery Institution
If you have difficulty in taking care of your child because both parents work or need to stay with a family member who is sick, you are able to leave your children in the care of the following institutions. There are some nursery institutions such as licensed prefectural nursery schools and non-licensed prefectural nursery schools. In addition, institutions and groups for child-care support are available. Age restrictions and expenses differ between nursery institutions. Contact the following for more information.
| Name of Nursery Institution | Inquiries |
|---|---|
| Licensed Nursery School | Hamada City Office / Child-care Support Division Tel (0855)22-2612 Ext.173 / 191 Dates & Hours : Mon.-Fri. 8:30-17:15 (Except holidays, year-end and new-year) |
| Non-licensed Nursery School | Ask each nursery school directly |
| Family Support Center | Hamada Family Support Center Tel (0855)22-8912 Dates & Hours : Mon.-Fri. 8:30-17:00 (Except holidays) |
