【Aging, safety net and fiscal crisis in Japan】No.248: People are refraining from going to hospitals and clinics for fear of COVID-19

People are refraining from going to hospitals and clinics because of the emergence of clusters of people infected with coronavirus (COVID-19). According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the revenue of hospitals and clinics increased to 103.3% and 102.1%, respectively, in February 2020; the figure for the same month in the previous year was 100% (Figure 1). However, in April, hospital revenues fell to 91.7%, constituting an 8.3% decrease compared to the same month in the previous year. The decrease rate in clinics was even higher at 20.3%.

Figure 2 shows the change of revenues in clinics by specialized departments. In April 2020, the decrease rate of otolaryngology, pediatrics, and ophthalmology was 44.1%, 39.2%, and 25.2%, respectively. From the viewpoint of infectious disease prevention, the reduction in the vaccination rate of children has been pointed out as a major problem. For example, the number of first-time recipients of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine (for 3-year-old children) has decreased by 35%. The number of second vaccinations of the mixed measles/rubella vaccine, which is required a year before children enter elementary school, has decreased by 47%. These figures reveal that the government must establish a system that allows parents to feel safe taking their children to a medical institution for vaccinations.

Figure 1 Change of revenues in hospitals and clinics

*Please click the table image to find the original size image.
Source: Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare

Figure 2 Change of revenues in clinics by department

*Please click the table image to find the original size image.
Source: Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare