Nagashima Aiseien Sanatorium
Encyclopedia
, or the National Sanatorium Nagashima Aiseien, is a sanatorium for leprosy
or ex-leprosy patients on the island of Nagashima in Setouchi, Okayama
, Japan, which was founded in 1930.
.
was so determined to eliminate leprosy that he admitted too many patients compared with the capacity of the sanatorium. In 1936, the number of patients admitted was 1163 in July, while the capacity was 890. Naturally, food and housing conditions deteriorated.
Leprosy
Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Named after physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen, leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions...
or ex-leprosy patients on the island of Nagashima in Setouchi, Okayama
Setouchi, Okayama
is a city located in the southern part of Okayama Prefecture, Japan. As of 2004, the city has a population of 39,377. The total area is 125.51 km²....
, Japan, which was founded in 1930.
Background
In 1927, members of the Lower House presented a paper stating that the present prefectural leprosy sanatoriums were insufficient, and that the Government should establish national sanatoriums. When the bill for this was passed, it was decided to build the first national sanatorium on an island, following the recommendation of Kensuke MitsudaKensuke Mitsuda
was a Japanese leprologist and director of the Tama Zenshoen Sanatorium and the National Sanatorum Nagashima Aiseien. He had been at the frontier of leprosy policy of Japan. He was given the Order of Cultural Merits and Damien-Dutton Award...
.
Timeline
- November 20, 1930: Several buildings were completed and the National Leprosarium was founded. The first director was Kensuke Mitsuda.
- March 3, 1931: The National Leprosarium Nagashima Aiseien was named by the Interior Ministry.
- March 27, 1931: 85 patients arrived from Tama Zenshoen SanatoriumTama Zenshoen SanatoriumTama Zenshoen Sanatorium, or National Sanatorium Tama Zenshoen, is a sanatorium for leprosy or ex-leprosy patients situated in Higashimurayama-shi, Tokyo-to, Japan starting in 1909.-Background:...
, Tokyo. - December 23, 1931: 10-ttubo (33 square meter) houses were built with donated money.
- January 10, 1938: The responsible Ministry changed from the Interior Ministry to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
- May 5, 1944: An elementary school was established.
- November 1, 1946: The facility was renamed the National Sanatorium Nagashima Aiseien.
- September 16, 1955: Niirada High School was established within the sanatorium, with students coming from other leprosy sanatoriums.
- March 3, 1987: The high school was closed. (369 students had been enrolled and 307 students had graduated.)
- May 9, 1988: The Oku-Nagashima-Ohashi Bridge was completed.
- November 1, 1989: A bus service from Okayama to the sanatorium started running.
- April 1996: The 1953 Leprosy Prevention Law was abolished.
- July 1998: The trial for compensation started.
- May 11, 2001: The trial for compensation ruled that detaining patients under the previous law was unconstitutional.
- May 25, 2001: The trial for compensation was confirmed. The compensation of 8,000,000 yen to 14,000,000 yen was given to patients depending on the duration of unconstitutional periods.
Number of patients
Year | Number of in-patients |
---|---|
1945 | 1478 |
1950 | 1496 |
1955 | 1701 |
1960 | 1675 |
1965 | 1509 |
1970 | 1326 |
1975 | 1167 |
1980 | 1073 |
1985 | 955 |
1990 | 841 |
1995 | 685 |
1999 | 590 |
Year | Number of in-patients |
---|---|
2003 | 499 |
2004 | 471 |
2005 | 445 |
2006 | 424 |
2007 | 396 |
2008 | 369 |
Background
Kensuke MitsudaKensuke Mitsuda
was a Japanese leprologist and director of the Tama Zenshoen Sanatorium and the National Sanatorum Nagashima Aiseien. He had been at the frontier of leprosy policy of Japan. He was given the Order of Cultural Merits and Damien-Dutton Award...
was so determined to eliminate leprosy that he admitted too many patients compared with the capacity of the sanatorium. In 1936, the number of patients admitted was 1163 in July, while the capacity was 890. Naturally, food and housing conditions deteriorated.