Kuchikomi Apr. 17, 2009 - 11:44AM JST ( 11 )

The recent trend in health management is the convenient and accessible “one-coin” medical service being offered in various parts of Tokyo. 

Depending on the facility, you needn’t take your health insurance card or make an appointment in advance. Test results are available in a matter of minutes; the whole process only costs 500 yen for the particular health item you want checked.

Care Pro is the first such facility in Japan, opened in Nakano last November. Its 500 yen service focuses on identifying symptoms of metabolic syndrome. The customer takes his or her own blood sample from the fingertip with a disposable device.

The service is not considered a medical practice, although the facility is staffed with a nurse and health care consultant, both certified. Care Pro claims that one in three customers who use their service find some symptom of a potential health problem.

Health care providers such as Bayside Clinic in Yokohama offer similar services. In addition to standard tests for blood sugar levels, the clinic also measures hemoglobin A1c from the blood sample, which reveals more accurate information and does not require the patient to fast prior to testing. This allows early detection of diabetes particularly for individuals who have no awareness of any symptoms.

At Ichigaya Hachiman Clinic in Shinjuku, the 500 yen service involves the examination of bone density using a special X-ray machine. Testing for osteoporosis usually costs 1,230 yen with health insurance, but this clinic decided to offer the low-cost test with the aim to promote preventative medicine and awareness of maintaining good health.

Affordable and easy health check-ups to protect your own well-being – aren’t they worth a try?