Gang Do-tae, Deputy Minister of Welfare, "Surgical Room CCTV Installation at Entrance or Inside Should Be Mandatory"

"No Legal Basis Under Medical Law... Currently Under Common Discussion in the National Assembly"

Kang Do-tae, 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (Photo by Ministry of Health and Welfare)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Regarding the issue of installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) in operating rooms of medical institutions, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has expressed the position that installation should be mandatory at either the entrance or inside the operating room.

Kang Do-tae, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said at a press briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 10th, "It is heartbreaking to see those who have suffered (medical) accidents, and I believe we must do everything possible, including system improvements, this time." He added, "However, during the National Assembly discussions, there are conflicting views regarding side effects and conflicts, as well as perspectives from patient groups."

First, various opinions are emerging on whether the installation location should be at the operating room entrance, inside the room, or introduced in phases. There are also differing opinions on the mandatory installation targets, such as tertiary general hospitals and public medical institutions. Vice Minister Kang stated, "It seems that the subcommittee on legislation in the National Assembly will discuss ways to minimize side effects," and added, "Currently, there is no legal basis related to the Medical Service Act, so common discussions are taking place in the legislative subcommittee."

Lee Chang-jun, Director of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, emphasized, "The Ministry's position, as revealed through the recent National Assembly public hearing, is that installation should be mandatory at either the entrance or inside the operating room."

He continued, "If the installation target is limited to public hospitals, there are concerns that the already insufficient public medical personnel may move elsewhere. In the case of tertiary general hospitals, there are opinions that it could hinder surgical participation for resident doctors' training," and explained, "The Ministry has submitted opinions favoring a phased approach to mandatory installation."

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