colder winters and hotter summers. Healthcare Saroma's primary healthcare provider is Clinic Saroma, a limited service healthcare facility run by the Sendai-based Keishōkai Medical Corporation. The clinic opened in April 2013 in the facility of the former Saroma Kōsei Clinic, while construction of a new adjacent replacement facility beginning soon after. This new modern facility opened in April 2015 and features 19 hospital beds, daily outpatient services, a full MRI machine. Prior to the opening of newly constructed Clinic Saroma facility, many Saroma residents relied healthcare facilities in Engaru and Kitami due to a lack of healthcare facilities in Saroma. The 2010s saw the availability of healthcare in Saroma steadily decrease. The town previously had a full hospital managed by Kōsei Hospitals of Japan Agriculture, but in 2012 the facility was downgraded to a clinic. Oda Clinic also closed at the same time, leaving Saroma with no full care facility. Saroma Town provides free subsidized healthcare for all school age children in the town. Education There are five public schools in Saroma. Saroma Town Board of Education manages education in town from preschool through compulsory education grades 1-9. The Superintendent is Kenichi Kagawa. (北海道佐呂間高等学校) (grades 10-12) is managed by Hokkaido Prefecture. Municipal schools in Saroma: There are also three preschools, one associated with each of the elementary schools. Mascot Saroma's mascot is . She is a cheerful pumpkin. She carries a scallop shell all the time as good luck. She is unveiled in 1994. International relations Palmer, Alaska, United States On October 28, 1980, Saroma and Palmer agreed to a bilateral sister relationship to promote cultural exchange and support a home-stay program for their residents. The relationship began with a friendship formed between Mr. Mutsuhiro Ishiguro, an English teacher at Saroma High School, and Palmer resident Edward Holmes. They met over their ham radios, and over time formed a friendship. Mr. Holmes eventually visited Saroma, which then led to a delegation from Saroma to Palmer, where they signed the sister city accords. Since that time, additional relationships have formed under the auspices of the town connection. Saroma High School with Palmer High School, established 1991 Saroma Elementary School with Pioneer Peak Elementary, established 1991 Saroma Junior High School with Palmer Junior Middle School and Colony Middle School, established 2003 Saroma Elementary School with Sherrod Elementary School, established 2018 Saroma Christian Church with Palmer Presbyterian Church The sister city relationship is