On March 26, 2025, Hokkaido University Hospital was officially certified as a lung transplant facility by the Council of Lung Transplant-Related Societies and the Joint Committee of Transplant-Related Societies, making it the 12th in the country and the first in Hokkaido.

Until now, all patients hoping to undergo lung transplants in Hokkaido had to undergo evaluation, waiting list registration, and the actual transplant surgery at medical institutions on Honshu, and the burden of traveling long distances and relocating was a major barrier for patients and their families. With this certification, all medical care related to lung transplants can now be completed within Hokkaido, creating an environment in which patients can receive treatment with peace of mind in their familiar hometowns.

Part of this initiative was made possible thanks to the support of many people through the crowdfunding campaign "Making long-awaited lung transplants a reality in Hokkaido" carried out in 2023.

In the future, we will continue to develop our skills in Japan and deepen our ties with overseas facilities to build a more advanced medical system. We will continue to work tirelessly to realize a society in which all patients who require lung transplants in the vast Hokkaido region can receive high-quality medical care with peace of mind.

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