Gangwon-do, 5 Medical Centers to Invest 42.2 Billion KRW in Infectious Disease Response, Facility, and Equipment Modernization

Strengthening Response Capabilities for Health Crises Including Infectious Diseases

Reference photo [Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province is taking steps to expand regional medical infrastructure.

The province announced on the 9th that it will invest a total of 42.2 billion KRW in five medical centers within the province to promote rapid response to infectious diseases and modernization of facilities and equipment at local medical centers.

The number of beds in the new ward of Wonju Medical Center will be increased to 285 beds, and hospice and artificial kidney rooms will be expanded at the specialized treatment center of Sokcho Medical Center.

Gangneung Medical Center will begin designing an extension of a complex ward including rehabilitation and isolation beds, while Samcheok Medical Center will start designing dormitories for medical staff in line with the relocation and new construction of a 250-bed facility.

As a dedicated infectious disease hospital, the five medical centers plan to increase the number of negative pressure isolation beds, which can be used at all times, to 32 beds by the end of 2023 to secure specialized treatment beds for COVID-19 patients.

Additionally, by designating the medical centers as regional responsible medical institutions, they will be developed into mid-level medical service units covering 1 to 5 cities and counties, and the number of operational beds per medical center, currently ranging from 137 to 240 beds, will be gradually expanded to a maximum of 300 beds by 2025.

Park Dong-joo, Director of the Health, Welfare and Women’s Affairs Bureau of the province, stated, "In a situation where public health crises such as infectious diseases are becoming more severe worldwide, we will spare no effort to stably secure infectious disease beds and support medical centers to become public base hospitals with publicness by treatment area."

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