The Democratic Party Announces Election Pledge: Upgrading Disease Control Headquarters to 'Cheong' and Establishing a Medical School

"Infectious Disease Response as the Second National Defense...Significant Expansion of Infectious Disease Response System"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Democratic Party of Korea has pledged to upgrade the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) to a 'Cheong' (a higher-level government agency). They also plan to establish new medical schools and expand the enrollment capacity of existing medical colleges. Through these measures, they aim to prevent infectious disease outbreaks like the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the 1st, the Democratic Party's Policy Committee announced these election pledges related to public safety (healthcare) for the upcoming general election.

According to the pledge, the current KDCA, which is a headquarters-level agency, will be elevated to a Cheong, and regional headquarters will be established in six zones. Additionally, five new quarantine offices will be set up, and epidemiological investigation personnel will be significantly expanded. A multiple vice-minister position dedicated to healthcare will be created, along with the establishment of a Health Policy Office and a Health Hazard Response Policy Officer position.

The Policy Committee explained, "Despite the heavy workload, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which oversees government-wide infectious disease response, currently lacks multiple vice ministers and a dedicated infectious disease organization. In particular, the KDCA director is responsible for both administration and quarantine, so an upgrade is necessary."

To prepare for potential future infectious diseases, research institutions scattered across various ministries will be integrated and reorganized to establish a specialized infectious disease research institute. Infectious disease specialty hospitals will be established by region, and negative pressure treatment beds will be expanded locally. Regional responsible medical institutions will be assigned the role of infectious disease dedicated hospitals.

To increase the current medical workforce, which stands at 2.3 active physicians per 100 people?68% of the OECD average of 3.4?plans to expand medical school enrollment are underway.

In particular, medical personnel will be prioritized for increase in regions facing shortages, and the establishment of new medical schools in areas without any will also be considered. The current medical service system will be revised through related legal amendments to introduce a special admission track for regional doctors (tentative name), allowing medical personnel to continue working in shortage areas even after completing their mandatory medical service period.

The Policy Committee stated, "While major OECD countries have been continuously expanding medical school admissions since 2000, Korea has frozen medical school enrollment since 2006, resulting in chronic workforce shortages in the medical field." They also emphasized, "Based on the recognition that infectious disease response is the 'second national defense,' we will significantly expand the infectious disease response system."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party's Policy Committee has been announcing pledges in preparation for the April 15 general election. So far, they have unveiled pledges focusing on ▲support for small business owners ▲public health ▲enhancement of public safety ▲children's pedestrian safety ▲and strengthening support for culture and the arts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.