Delivering Health and Smiles to Every Home in Africa with 'Okigusuri' (Household Medicine Kit) x 'Okusuri Techo' (Medication Record Book)!
AfriMedico, an NPO, is expanding its self-medication initiative in Africa by combining Japan's traditional "Okigusuri" (household medicine kit) system with the "Okusuri Techo" (medication record book) to promote proper medicine use and management, aiming to bring health and smiles to every household.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 16:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 12:58 (1484h 58m after Published)
Our organization supports April Dream, an initiative to make April 1st a day for announcing dreams. This press release is the dream of NPO AfriMedico.
AfriMedico, with its mission to "connect Africa and Japan through healthcare and deliver health and smiles," is working to popularize the "Okigusuri" (household medicine kit) system, a Japanese tradition since the Edo period that protects family health, in households across various African countries. As a new initiative this year, we have started distributing "Okusuri Techo" (medication record books), originating in Japan, along with the Okigusuri kits, to promote the proper use and management of medicines.
## Sustainable Means Are Necessary to Save Many People
Mr. Machii, the representative of AfriMedico, worked as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer in Niger. A mother in a certain village in Niger told him, "My child might die from a high fever. I'm going to the hospital, please give me 200 yen." He thought that if he gave her the money, the child might be saved, but there were many other children who needed help. To save many people, it was necessary to change the social system and do so in a sustainable way. What Mr. Machii came up with was Okigusuri, a system passed down from the Edo period, where medicines are readily available when needed, and payment is made only for what is used.
Currently, AfriMedico is working to improve "Access to Medicine" by installing Okigusuri kits in approximately 200 households in Tanzania and in offices in urban areas.
## What is Important for Access to Medicine
Simply having access to medicines alone does not lead to improved medical access. "Prevention" through handwashing, gargling, and maintaining a clean environment; "Self-medication" by taking responsibility for one's own health and treating minor ailments oneself; "Early consultation" by visiting a medical institution promptly if self-care does not improve the condition; and the proper use of medicines when needed – all are crucial for improving Access to Medicine.
In addition to installing Okigusuri kits, AfriMedico also includes leaflets in the kits that explain proper medicine usage and advise immediate medical consultation if diseases like malaria are suspected. They also conduct disease awareness education in villages on the importance of handwashing, gargling, and malaria, promoting the significance of prevention, self-medication, and early consultation.
AfriMedico's Okigusuri managers regularly visit and advise villagers.
Leaflets included in the Okigusuri kit.
## Promoting Proper Use with Okusuri Techo
This year, AfriMedico has started a new initiative. The Okusuri Techo (medication record book) was devised in Japan to prevent dangers from drug interactions. More than 30 years have passed since its introduction, and app versions are now also in use. AfriMedico thought that by enclosing Okusuri Techo in the Okigusuri kits, they could prevent drug duplication and interactions, and manage medication for some families.
The medicines included in the Okigusuri kits are customized for each household, considering the region and family structure. It is believed that the Okusuri Techo will enable a more detailed understanding of medication usage in each household, allowing for individualized health advice and the collection of health data for each family.
AfriMedico's Okusuri Techo.
## Delivering Health and Smiles to Africa with Okigusuri and Okusuri Techo
"Connecting Africa and Japan through healthcare and delivering health and smiles." To achieve this mission, AfriMedico will further expand its activity areas based on the knowledge and experience accumulated in Tanzania. At the core of this are the Japan-originated "Okigusuri" and "Okusuri Techo." AfriMedico will continue its activities to make the April Dream a reality.
AfriMedico, with its mission to "connect Africa and Japan through healthcare and deliver health and smiles," is working to popularize the "Okigusuri" (household medicine kit) system, a Japanese tradition since the Edo period that protects family health, in households across various African countries. As a new initiative this year, we have started distributing "Okusuri Techo" (medication record books), originating in Japan, along with the Okigusuri kits, to promote the proper use and management of medicines.
## Sustainable Means Are Necessary to Save Many People
Mr. Machii, the representative of AfriMedico, worked as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer in Niger. A mother in a certain village in Niger told him, "My child might die from a high fever. I'm going to the hospital, please give me 200 yen." He thought that if he gave her the money, the child might be saved, but there were many other children who needed help. To save many people, it was necessary to change the social system and do so in a sustainable way. What Mr. Machii came up with was Okigusuri, a system passed down from the Edo period, where medicines are readily available when needed, and payment is made only for what is used.
Currently, AfriMedico is working to improve "Access to Medicine" by installing Okigusuri kits in approximately 200 households in Tanzania and in offices in urban areas.
## What is Important for Access to Medicine
Simply having access to medicines alone does not lead to improved medical access. "Prevention" through handwashing, gargling, and maintaining a clean environment; "Self-medication" by taking responsibility for one's own health and treating minor ailments oneself; "Early consultation" by visiting a medical institution promptly if self-care does not improve the condition; and the proper use of medicines when needed – all are crucial for improving Access to Medicine.
In addition to installing Okigusuri kits, AfriMedico also includes leaflets in the kits that explain proper medicine usage and advise immediate medical consultation if diseases like malaria are suspected. They also conduct disease awareness education in villages on the importance of handwashing, gargling, and malaria, promoting the significance of prevention, self-medication, and early consultation.
AfriMedico's Okigusuri managers regularly visit and advise villagers.
Leaflets included in the Okigusuri kit.
## Promoting Proper Use with Okusuri Techo
This year, AfriMedico has started a new initiative. The Okusuri Techo (medication record book) was devised in Japan to prevent dangers from drug interactions. More than 30 years have passed since its introduction, and app versions are now also in use. AfriMedico thought that by enclosing Okusuri Techo in the Okigusuri kits, they could prevent drug duplication and interactions, and manage medication for some families.
The medicines included in the Okigusuri kits are customized for each household, considering the region and family structure. It is believed that the Okusuri Techo will enable a more detailed understanding of medication usage in each household, allowing for individualized health advice and the collection of health data for each family.
AfriMedico's Okusuri Techo.
## Delivering Health and Smiles to Africa with Okigusuri and Okusuri Techo
"Connecting Africa and Japan through healthcare and delivering health and smiles." To achieve this mission, AfriMedico will further expand its activity areas based on the knowledge and experience accumulated in Tanzania. At the core of this are the Japan-originated "Okigusuri" and "Okusuri Techo." AfriMedico will continue its activities to make the April Dream a reality.
FAQ
What are AfriMedico's main activities?
They introduce Japan's "Okigusuri" system in Africa and now combine it with "Okusuri Techo" to promote proper medicine use and management.
Why is the "Okigusuri" system suitable for Africa?
It provides immediate access to medicines when needed, with payment only for what is used, offering a sustainable solution in areas with limited medical access.
What is the purpose of introducing "Okusuri Techo"?
To prevent drug duplication and interactions, understand household medication usage in detail, and provide personalized health advice and collect health data.