Gifu Prefecture assists residents with limited Japanese language ability by providing a system whereby volunteer medical interpreters, at the request of the medical institution, will be dispatched to hospitals, so that patients can undergo medical consultations with peace of mind. Languages available are Portuguese, Chinese and Tagalog. 

During the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 financial years, this system was conducted under the name 'Volunteer medical interpreter dispatch system trial', however the trial period has finished, the system name has changed to the above name, and is a full-scale operation.

1. Volunteer medical interpreter dispatch system operation commencement

From 1 April 2014 (Tuesday)

2. Medical institutions accepting dispatch medical interpreters (as of July 2019)

• Gifu University Hospital (Gifu City)
• Gifu Prefectural General Medical Center (Gifu City)
• Gifu Municipal Hospital (Gifu City)
• Matsunami Health Promotion Clinic (Kasamatsu Town)
• Matsunami General Hospital (Kasamatsu Town)
• Tokai Central Hospital (Kakamigahara City)
• Chuno Kosei Hospital (Seki City)
• Kizawa Memorial Hospital (Minokamo City)
• Gifu Prefectural Tajimi Hospital (Tajimi City)
• NAGARA Medical Center (Gifu City)
• Gifu-shi Fukushigata Jidou Hattatsu Shien Center Miyakoen (Gifu City) 
• Ogaki Tokushukai Hospital (Ogaki City)
  
• Japanese Red Cross Gifu Hospital (Gifu City)
  
• Gifu Seiryu Hospital (Gifu City)
• Asahi University Medical & Dental Center (Mizuho City)

3. Dispatch volunteer medical interpreters (as of February 2019)

Interpreters have all been registered upon passing an exam carried out by the GIC.

There are 65 volunteers altogether for the following languages- Portuguese (21) Chinese (32) Tagalog (12).

4. Volunteer medical interpreter dispatch procedure

1. The medical institution will lodge an application to the GIC (Gifu International Center) for a volunteer medical interpreter, as a rule, by 3 days prior to the earliest desired dispatch date.

2. The GIC chooses a volunteer who fits the request from the list of registered volunteers.

3. Medical interpreting will occur on the requested day and time at the medical institution that requested the dispatch. Interpretation is available for about 2 hours per session.

5. Reimbursement for volunteer medical interpreters

Under this system the requesting hospital or the patient is responsible for reimbursement.

Reimbursement is set at 3,000 yen per visit, including transportation expenses.