"Addressing Metropolitan Concentration and Medical Imbalance" ... Jang Sumok, Head of Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Headquarters at NHIS, Presents at Regional Medical Decentralization Forum

Participants are engaged in a discussion at the Local Medical Decentralization Forum.

The head of the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam branch of the National Health Insurance Service, Jang Su-mok, is receiving a commendation from the Mayor of Busan.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The 'Local Medical Decentralization Forum,' aimed at addressing the medical imbalance between the metropolitan area and non-metropolitan regions, has officially commenced.

Jang Su-mok, head of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam branch of the National Health Insurance Service, received a commendation from the Mayor of Busan for his efforts in promoting the health of Busan citizens on the first day.

At the opening ceremony of the 'MediBusan 2021 Citizen Health Expo,' Director Jang was recognized for his significant contributions to the health promotion of Busan citizens and the development of the MediBusan Citizen Health Expo.

On the first day of the expo, the 29th, Jang Su-mok participated as a presenter in the '2021 Local Medical Decentralization Forum' hosted by KNN to publicize regional medical issues and revitalize healthcare in the Busan area.

Director Jang spoke on the topic of 'Current Status and Strategies for Utilizing Big Data in Regional Public Health,' covering △ the current position of Korean healthcare data △ the National Health Insurance Service's use of big data △ the state of regional public health as seen through NHIS big data △ and utilization directions for the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam area.

He proposed creating a smart health city that is a better place for local residents to live by utilizing health insurance big data.

This forum points out that medical institutions are heavily concentrated in the metropolitan area, centered around the country's big five hospitals, and that improved transportation access such as the opening of the KTX in 2000 and strengthened health insurance coverage have led to a concentration of medical services in the metropolitan area.

As the burden of medical expenses has eased, the imbalance in the medical system for citizens in non-metropolitan areas has become severe. The forum is being held with the goal that all citizens should equally enjoy a healthy life.

During the Citizen Health Expo, promotional booths will be operated from the 29th to the 31st to help improve citizens' awareness of health management through health checkups, smoking cessation treatments, and bowing instead of handshakes.

At the event, Lee Byung-jin, Deputy Mayor of Busan, Park Jae-ho, Chairman of the Busan Democratic Party, and Baek Jong-heon, Chairman of the Busan People Power Party, delivered keynote speeches emphasizing the need to promote medical special zones and strengthen public healthcare to ensure that the metropolitan-centered medical system does not threaten the health of local citizens, unanimously calling for the establishment of an insurer hospital in the East Busan area.

Assemblyman Baek Jong-heon said, “Ilsan Hospital, the first insurer hospital, played a model role as a public medical institution by providing beds during the difficult times of the COVID-19 outbreak.”

He added, “I hope that our region’s Shinchon Hospital will be converted into an insurer hospital to contribute to the development of regional healthcare through appropriate fee calculation and implementation of standard treatment,” emphasizing the expansion of public medical facilities in the East Busan area.

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