#Japan #YOUNG CARERS #Ageo #Medipal Holdings #Eli Lilly Japan

Promoting Awareness of Young Carers in Healthcare

On October 8, 2025, a significant seminar aimed at raising awareness of young carers was held at the Ageo Central General Hospital in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. This event was a collaborative effort between Medipal Holdings, its subsidiary Mediseco, Eli Lilly Japan, and the city of Ageo. The primary goal of the seminar was to enhance the recognition and understanding of young carers among healthcare professionals.

Understanding Young Carers

Young carers are children or young individuals who take on essential caregiving responsibilities for family members or household tasks, which traditionally would be performed by adults. This situation often leads to significant challenges for these young individuals, including academic struggles, social isolation, and emotional distress. The aim of this seminar was to address these challenges and provide healthcare professionals with the necessary tools to identify and support young carers effectively.

Key Themes and Collaborations

The Medipal Group has outlined a strong commitment to social contribution, emphasizing three core promises which include focusing on the future of children. This seminar is a key component of their initiative to enhance the support system for young carers. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Medipal and Eli Lilly Japan to formalize their partnership in this regard.

Recognizing that healthcare settings are crucial for early detection and support of young carers, the organizers integrated efforts from various expert organizations to create a comprehensive support strategy for this demographic. The Ageo City Young Carers Coordinator played a significant role in developing this seminar, which serves as a pioneering model for future collaborations.

Structure of the Seminar

The seminar featured distinguished speakers from Ageo City, Eli Lilly Japan, Medipal, and Mediseco, with approximately 40 healthcare professionals in attendance, including doctors and nurses. Participants delved into core knowledge about young carers, age-specific issues, and ongoing support initiatives in Ageo City. Insights shared during the seminar fostered meaningful discussions around how to create a more supportive environment for young carers within healthcare settings.

Outcomes and Participant Feedback

Feedback collected post-seminar indicated a high level of understanding among healthcare professionals regarding the issues surrounding young carers. An impressive 85% reported a comprehensive understanding of the topic, while 88% found the session to be highly valuable. Importantly, over half expressed a desire to participate in future learning opportunities. Some responses included:

• - 50% of participants wish to engage in further educational sessions.
• - 35% indicated they would discreetly refer young carers to support services they may encounter.

These outcomes prove the effectiveness of the seminar in not only educating medical staff but also fostering connections between local governments and healthcare practitioners.

Future Activities and Commitment

The Medipal Group is dedicated to sustaining and enhancing this initiative, promoting further understanding amongst healthcare workers, and strengthening collaborations with support agencies. As part of this ongoing commitment, the Medipal Group has outlined plans to continue engaging in activities centered around young carer support. Some notable past and future activities include:

• - Collaborating with Eli Lilly Japan for workshops focused on young carer support.
• - Engaging in awareness-raising charity walks set to occur several times leading up to December 2025.
• - Organizing educational seminars and creating informational material for healthcare professionals.

In conclusion, this seminar marks a significant step towards improving the environment for young carers in Japan. By working collaboratively across sectors, Medipal, Eli Lilly Japan, and local government are paving the way for a supportive framework that acknowledges and addresses the unique needs of young caregivers.

For more information about the Medipal Group’s social contribution activities, visit here.