Children's Online Medical Consultation App "Kids Doctor" Significantly Expands "Chat Health Consultation" to 24/7 for Ishigaki City Residents

Northstar Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kota Kitata, hereinafter Northstar), the operator of the children's online medical consultation app "Kids Doctor," has further strengthened its collaboration with Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture (Mayor: Yoshitaka Nakayama) and expanded the service hours of "Chat Health Consultation" to 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for Ishigaki City residents.

Background and Progress: Continuous Efforts Between Kids Doctor and Ishigaki City

In Ishigaki City and other Yaeyama Islands and remote island regions, maintaining emergency medical services during nighttime and holidays with limited medical resources has been a significant challenge.

To address this issue, Northstar, the operator of the online medical consultation app "Kids Doctor," and Ishigaki City signed a "Comprehensive Collaboration Agreement" in January 2024. To date, we have supported the reduction of the burden on regional healthcare and the secure lives of citizens by implementing measures such as unlimited free "Chat Health Consultations" by nurses for Ishigaki City residents (normally limited to 3 times every 3 months).

While the service has been utilized by many citizens since its launch, the previous chat health consultation service was only available on weekdays from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. This meant that consultations for sudden daytime anxieties or sudden illnesses on weekends were not possible, leading to many requests for more robust support.

Therefore, to further ensure the secure lives of our citizens, we have decided to expand the service to "24-hour, 365-day availability."

Details of This Expansion: Unlimited 24/7 Consultations Exclusively for Ishigaki City Residents

While Kids Doctor's "Chat Health Consultation" is normally provided only during weekday evenings (6:00 PM to 11:00 PM), starting July 1, 2026, Ishigaki City residents will be able to consult with nurses for free, anytime, any number of times, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including weekends and holidays.

We have also established a system to seamlessly connect users to Kids Doctor's online medical consultations or to nearby medical institutions when further examination is deemed necessary.

【To the Residents of Ishigaki City】

For detailed usage instructions, please refer to the "Kids Doctor" app.

Download the app here

About Kids Doctor

Kids Doctor (https://kids-doctor.jp/) is an online medical consultation app for children, created to provide parents with peace of mind by connecting them with doctors regarding their children's health and illnesses. It allows users to receive consultations from doctors via smartphone from anywhere in the country, even in the early morning, at night, or on holidays. In addition to online medical consultations, a chat health consultation service with nurses is also available.

Online Medical Consultation

You can receive a consultation from a doctor experienced in treating children via video call. If the doctor deems it necessary, prescriptions can be issued, and medication can be picked up at your preferred pharmacy. Health insurance cards and child medical expense subsidies are applicable. There are no charges other than consultation fees, such as service usage fees.

【Consultation Hours】

Weekdays: 0:00 AM - 4:00 AM / 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM (midnight)

Weekends and Holidays: 0:00 AM - 12:00 AM (midnight) (24 hours)

Chat Health Consultation

Our nursing team provides general medical information and referral advice, without medical judgment, during hours when clinics are closed. Consultations are free up to 3 times every 3 months.

【Service Hours】

Weekdays: 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

*Available 24 hours for Ishigaki City residents, including weekends and holidays.

Download the app here

About Northstar Inc.

Company Name: Northstar Inc. ■Location: Toranomon 30 Mori Building 9F, 3-2-2 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo ■Representative: Kota Kitata ■Established: January 28, 2021 ■Business Activities: Provision of medical and healthcare related services utilizing the internet ■URL: https://nstr.co.jp/