Medical Plan and Activity for 2008 G8 Hokkaido-Lake Toya Summit

Abstract

Introduction:

After the Genoa Summit of 2001 in Italy, when one protestor was killed while demonstrating, “retreat method” summits became predominant. The Windsor Hotel, located on a mountain next to Lake Toya in Hokkaido, Japan was selected to host the G8 summit in 2008.

Methods:

The G8 Hokkaido-Lake Toya Summit was held 07–09 July 2008. Emergency medical services and systems were constructed. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare developed a plan for emergency medical services and preparedness in response to potential nuclear, biological, or chemical terrorist attacks.

Results:

The Windsor Hotel is located 75 kilometers from Sapporo, where there are four Level-1 treatment areas in four hospitals. In the Windsor Hotel, O-type (Rh -) blood was prepared for foreign guests. Four helicopters were on standby near the Windsor Hotel for emergency transportation. One Mobile Intensive Care Unit car was located near the foothill for the provision of emergency treatment. The expert medical team of the Windsor Hotel was present in the hotel's medical office. More than 200 doctors with disaster and emergency expertise were commissioned to the summit. During the summit, 68 patients were treated, including one patient who was transferred to Sapporo by helicopter.

Conclusions:

An emergency medical system was established for the G8 Hokkaido-Lake Toya Summit with the collaboration of many organizations.