An advisory panel to the health minister outlined a comprehensive review Feb. 12 of fees paid for medical services, proposing raises for physicians working at hospitals.

It will be the first revision of standard remuneration for medical services — medical treatment and drugs — under the government of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, which has made improving the nation's medical services a key policy goal.

The issue is high on the agenda of the Hatoyama administration in light of declining morale among doctors at hospitals because of their heavy workload, relatively low pay and the consequent shortage of medical staff.

The panel proposed raising overall remuneration for medical services provided under the national health insurance system by 0.19 percent, the first increase in 10 years.