[Interview] Shin Jong-woo, Director of Welfare and Health Bureau of Gyeongnam Province, Pledges to Realize Welfare through Gyeongnam-type COVID-19 'K-Quarantine Model'

Preventing Dementia in Elderly Living Alone and Establishing Changwon National University Medical School: Full Efforts to Prepare for the 'Post-Corona' Era

Shin Jong-woo, Director of Welfare and Health Bureau, Gyeongnam Province. (Photo by Gyeongnam Province)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Hwang Choi Hyun-joo] The phrase "The world is divided into before and after the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)" is becoming popular. As the rate of confirmed cases in Gyeongnam Province, which had temporarily slowed down, is increasing again due to incoming overseas travelers, concerns about a possible resurgence are growing, making the role of Shin Jong-woo, Director of the Welfare and Health Bureau of the province, increasingly important.

The Welfare and Health Bureau of Gyeongnam Province has been operating a comprehensive situation room 24 hours a day since the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, consisting of 8 teams and 80 members.

They have established a system capable of large-scale initial screening tests by organizing on-site consulting focused on high-risk group facilities such as nursing hospitals, operating 55 screening clinics within the province including public health centers and medical institutions, and forming emergency support teams for group outbreaks into 5 regions.

Additionally, they have implemented measures such as ▲establishing a dedicated infectious disease department ▲providing emergency disaster relief funds ▲allocating a supplementary budget of 903.2 billion KRW, ensuring seamless daily quarantine and economic activities that residents can realistically feel.

Furthermore, with the rapid increase in the elderly population, projects to prevent dementia and sudden death among elderly living alone are actively underway.

In particular, in November last year, about 1,000 artificial intelligence speakers were installed in the homes of elderly living alone in six cities and counties of Gyeongnam, including Changwon, Uiryeong, and Goseong, and an additional 1,300 units will be installed by the second half of this year to expand non-face-to-face welfare services.

Director Shin Jong-woo of the Welfare and Health Bureau said, “Gyeongnam Province has greatly contributed to the completion of the ‘K-Quarantine Model’ through exemplary responses during the COVID-19 crisis and is proactively responding to overcoming the economic recession and the major transformation of social and economic structures.”

Director Shin Jong-woo of the Welfare and Health Bureau of Gyeongnam Province is appearing on KNN News for an interview. (Photo by KNN News)

Below is a Q&A session

- As COVID-19 prolongs, many opinions suggest preparing for the post-COVID era. What are the achievements and future plans of the Welfare and Health Bureau?

▲ By forming an advisory council of infectious disease experts, establishing hotlines with schools, public health centers, and education offices, and through public-private cooperation, thorough quarantine achievements were possible. Moving forward, we plan to operate a mobile quarantine team consisting of 235 members including 21 doctors and quarantine officers, and a Living Quarantine Council to gather field opinions.

Also, by participating in Ministry of Health and Welfare public projects, this year Gyeongnam was selected as the institution to promote the Gyeongnam Public Children's Rehabilitation Hospital, Yeongnam Infectious Disease Specialized Hospital, and pilot projects to strengthen the health and welfare delivery system, securing 49 billion KRW in national funds through these projects.

Moreover, we will realize welfare services unique to Gyeongnam Province, such as the first metropolitan local government integrated artificial intelligence (AI) care service, establishment of a care worker support center, hosting the Korea Senior Human Resources Development Institute Gyeongnam branch, and increasing allowances for senior job positions.

- You are promoting the establishment of Changwon University College of Medicine. What is the reason behind this?

▲ We are committed to attracting a medical school within the province to strengthen the national quarantine system, public medical system, and improve infectious disease response capabilities.

The number of doctors per 1,000 people in Gyeongnam is 2.4, lower than the national average of 2.8, and the medical school quota per 100,000 people in Gyeongnam is 2.3, also lower than the national average of 6.3.

Accordingly, after estimating the required number of doctors, considering the needs in medically vulnerable military areas, it was confirmed that an additional 251 doctors are needed in the province, and an annual increase of 107.7 medical school quotas is necessary.

The province continues to make government appeals for the establishment of new medical schools, construction of affiliated hospitals, and quota expansions such as regional doctor systems, and Changwon University is building infrastructure in preparation for establishing a medical school and securing affiliated hospitals based on the ‘National University Hospital Installation Act.’

- What positive effects do you anticipate the establishment of Changwon University College of Medicine will have on the local economy?

▲ With the establishment of Changwon University College of Medicine, training local doctors will enable stable supply of essential and vulnerable medical personnel within the region, reducing demand for medical treatment outside the area, which is expected to contribute to revitalizing the local economy.

On a broader scale, nurturing talents in medical science fields such as basic science, pharmaceuticals, and bio will positively impact regional economic revitalization through research and achievements in medical fields, including smart healthcare linked with local manufacturing industries like smart industrial complexes.

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