President Moon: "Increase in Critically Ill Patients Requires Drastic Measures... Cooperation from Private Hospitals Is Crucial" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in emphasized that "drastic measures are necessary" to address the increase in critically ill patients, directing the full mobilization of national university hospitals and public medical resources, while also requesting cooperation from private hospitals.

On the morning of the 21st, President Moon held a Cabinet meeting via video conference with the Government Seoul Office and Sejong Office at the Blue House, stating, "We must absolutely suppress the occurrence of critically ill patients."

President Moon said, "As we begin to restore daily life, we need to review the preparations that were deemed insufficient, learn from them, and thoroughly reorganize our ranks to be ready to restart the recovery of daily life," adding, "Above all, the core of reorganizing our ranks is to firmly strengthen the medical response system."

Regarding the reinforcement of the medical response system, President Moon stressed that there must be no shortage in treating critically ill patients, stating, "The key is securing sufficient hospital beds and medical personnel." Although hospital beds and medical staff have been steadily increased, it has been difficult to cope with the rise in critically ill patients. He urged, "In addition to the bed expansion plans already underway by the government, drastic measures of a completely different scale are needed."

President Moon instructed, "Please mobilize all national university hospitals and public medical resources to dramatically reinforce hospital beds and promptly expand medical personnel," and added, "I hope metropolitan, local, and private sectors will form a task force (TF) and approach this with drastic measures and determination."

He also emphasized the urgent need for cooperation from private hospitals, noting, "Many private medical institutions are cooperating." President Moon said, "Hospitals offering all their beds for COVID-19 treatment are increasing. Local clinics are also actively participating in managing COVID-19 patients through home treatment," and requested, "During this nationally difficult time, I ask all public and private medical capacities to unite in protecting the lives and safety of the people."

President Moon shared hopeful news, saying, "Vaccination is gradually gaining momentum," and added, "If the third dose vaccination rate continues to rise at the current pace, it is expected to greatly contribute to reducing the risk of COVID-19 while enhancing medical response capacity."

He continued, "Vaccination is now widely recognized as the most effective protective barrier that safeguards each other's safety beyond age and social strata," and concluded, "We may face unforeseen challenges at any time, but we will not repeat the same mistakes. We will overcome this critical moment and surely succeed in restoring daily life."

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