Lee Nak-yeon "Will Establish a Nationwide Primary Care Physician System"

Ensuring Everyone Receives Medical Services Through a 'Primary Care Physician'... Tackling 'Health Inequality'

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] "Not only the president has a personal physician, but we will also open an era of personal physicians for all citizens."

On the morning of the 10th, former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon held a policy agreement session with the 'National Movement Headquarters for the Personal Physician System' at the briefing room of the Yeouido election camp in Seoul, announcing plans to introduce a 'National Personal Physician System' as part of a new welfare policy. Last month on the 5th, Lee presented 'New Welfare' as a core national vision, which includes expanding state responsibility by setting minimum standards in eight areas: income, housing, labor, education, medical care, caregiving, culture, and environment.

Democratic Party presidential primary candidate Rep. Lee Nak-yeon is delivering a greeting at the policy agreement ceremony of the National Movement Headquarters for the Introduction of the National Primary Care Physician System held at Daesan Building in Yeouido, Seoul on the 10th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The personal physician system announced by Lee on this day refers to assigning a dedicated doctor to each citizen, primarily through primary medical institutions, who manages their daily life and diseases. Each individual will have a personal physician at a nearby primary medical institution and receive customized care. Additionally, medical histories will be systematically managed to prevent duplicate and excessive testing. Initially, 1-2% of the entire population will participate, with plans to nationalize the system over the next 10 years.

Lee explained, "Advanced countries have reformed their healthcare systems by strengthening primary care in preparation for population aging and the increase of chronic diseases. Currently, 20 out of 36 OECD countries have implemented the personal physician system," adding, "Personal physicians will manage patients' health and disease status and will also be responsible for prevention and education."

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