About HEM-Net
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HEM-Net Promotes the Spread of Emergency Medical Services
Using Doctor Helicopters

“HEM-Net” is the acronym of Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Network and the abbreviation of Emergency Medical Network of Helicopter and Hospital, a certified non-profit organization*. It is the only think tank on Doctor Helicopters in Japan and was established with the aim of promoting the spread of emergency medical services using Doctor Helicopters.
* “Certified non-profit corporation” means a corporation that has been certified by the competent authority as a corporation that has an appropriate governing body and business activities, and that contributes to advancement of public interest. The competent authority for HEM-Net is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Donors benefit from a high level of tax incentives and this benefit is also available to supporting members who have paid their supporter fees.

Message from Chairman of the Board

Osami Sagisaka
My name is Osami Sagisaka and I have been appointed as the Chairman of HEM-Net (Emergency Medical Network of Helicopter and Hospital /a certified non-profit organization) as of April 1, 2023.

Since its establishment in December 1999, HEM-Net has been working to spread the use of Doctor Helicopters, and in April 2022, Doctor Helicopters have been introduced in 47 prefectures. This means that one of the major objectives of HEM-Net has been achieved. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved for their efforts so far.

As discussed at the HEM-Net Symposium in December 2022, we will continue to make further efforts to solve various issues with the aim of “qualitative improvement” from “quantitative expansion” of Doctor Helicopters. We look forward to your continued support and cooperation in the future.
Chairman of the Board
Osami Sagisaka

Programs

HEM-Net’s work is broadly divided into General Programs and the Doctor Helicopter Support Programs(Subsidy Programs).
【General Programs】
① Promoting research
We set certain topics, carry out continuing research, send observation teams to developed countries, and publish those results in reports. We also select topics of current interest, hold symposiums on those topics, and publish reports containing proposals.
② Disseminating information
We post the latest news in the News section on our website and have also accumulated an Archive containing reports and materials published by HEM-Net, past issues of HEM-Net Graph, our PR magazine, as well as an array of information about Doctor Helicopters, including papers, reports, and statistics. In addition, we also occasionally select topical themes and publish HEM-Net Plaza, a PR magazine contributing to the improvement of the quality of Doctor Helicopter emergency medical services. And, we proactively disseminate information by giving presentations at seminars and conferences held in various regions, writing papers, contributing articles, and publishing researched magazine and newspaper articles.
③ Expanding the network
In addition to working to expand our supporter membership and donor base, we are strengthening cooperation with the Japanese Society for Aeromedical Services and other academic societies, parliamentary associations and other related organizations.
【Doctor Helicopter Support Programs
(Subsidy Programs)】
We also run the following three programs to subsidize the founders of base hospitals with Doctor Helicopter operations for the cost of providing Doctor Helicopter emergency medical services. The funding put toward these programs is called the Doctor Helicopter Support Fund, which has been raised through donations from the private sector. These HEM-Net Subsidy Programs have been registered by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.
① Subsidy Program for Training Doctor Helicopter Doctors and Nurses
This program subsidizes training for Doctor Helicopter doctors and nurses in hospitals planning to deploy a Doctor Helicopter in the future, and began in FY2010.
② Safety Training Sessions at Doctor Helicopter Base Hospitals
The program subsidizes Doctor Helicopter Safety Training Sessions to facilitate communication and improved teamwork among the people involved in Doctor Helicopter operations, and began in FY2011.
③ Survey and Research Subsidy Program
This program subsidizes surveys and researches related to Doctor Helicopter aviation safety and aeromedical services, and began in FY2016.