Meeting with Gyeongbuk Governor, Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo Says "Can No Longer Overlook Doctor Shortage"

Governor Lee Cheol-woo Requests Establishment of Medical Schools and Allocation of Medical Student Quotas in Pohang and Andong

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo is reviewing materials at the 61st Central Living Security Committee held on the afternoon of August 10 at the Ministry of Health and Welfare's main conference room in Eojin-dong, Sejong Special Self-Governing City Government Complex.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] On the 12th, Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, requested the establishment of a medical school at Pohang University of Science and Technology and Andong National University to Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, who participated in the 'Joint Meeting for the Expansion of Regional Healthcare Workforce' held at Pohang Medical Center.

The meeting was attended by local medical officials including Lee Kang-deok, Mayor of Pohang, Ham In-seok, Director of Pohang Medical Center, Choi Soon-ho, Director of Pohang St. Mary's Hospital, Han Dong-seon, Director of Pohang Semyung Christian Hospital, and Kim Moon-chul, Director of S Pohang Hospital. The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to assess the regional medical situation and discuss improvement measures such as the need to expand the regional healthcare workforce.

Minister Park Neung-hoo emphasized, "The shortage of doctors and regional imbalance have long been pointed out by various sectors, and the government believes that although the process is difficult and complex, it can no longer overlook these issues."

He added, "Urgent measures to solve the shortage of doctors in the regions will be taken first, but I hope to communicate and consult with the medical community to discuss fundamental solutions such as regional medical activation measures including regional additional fees, improvement of the medical delivery system, and expansion of public healthcare."

Governor Lee Cheol-woo explained, "Gyeongbuk ranks 16th nationwide with 1.4 doctors per 1,000 people, and 14th nationwide with 1.85 medical school quotas per 100,000 people, indicating an absolute shortage of medical personnel."

He continued, "The treatable mortality rate caused by the lack of quality medical services is the highest in the country, and due to the absence of a tertiary general hospital, 168 severe COVID-19 patients were transferred to other cities, showing that Gyeongbuk's medical environment is very poor. The establishment of a medical school is a task that must be realized as the aspiration of 2.7 million Gyeongbuk residents," he emphasized.

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