When Will the New Construction and Relocation of 'Geochang Red Cross Hospital' Take Place? ... Feasibility Study for 'Geo-Ham-Hap' Geochang Area Responsible Medical Institution Underway

Geochang County Office.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] The relocation and reconstruction project of ‘Geochang Red Cross Hospital’ has set sail.

On the 18th, Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam Province announced that the Korean Red Cross is conducting a feasibility study on the relocation and reconstruction of ‘Geochang Red Cross Hospital,’ which has been designated as the responsible medical institution for Geochang, Hamyang, and Hapcheon counties.

Since July 1 last year, the Korean Red Cross has commissioned the Korea Health Industry Development Institute to conduct a feasibility study on the relocation and reconstruction of Geochang Red Cross Hospital. The study analyzes ▲basic status analysis ▲selection of functional roles ▲selection of medical service areas and measurement of bed capacity ▲relocation, reconstruction, and operation plans for the Red Cross hospital ▲investment procurement plans and establishment feasibility.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare established provisions regarding the designation of regional responsible medical institutions in the ‘Public Health and Medical Services Act,’ providing grounds for support for facility and equipment expansion and operating expenses. However, due to the COVID-19 situation, discussions on the establishment and operation of regional responsible medical institutions have not been properly conducted so far.

Specific standards for financial burden between national/provincial funds and local governments, as well as administrative procedures for site acquisition, have not yet been decided.

At the interim service report meeting held on February 8, opinions were presented that a new construction scale of 300 beds across 18 medical departments and a site of approximately 8,000 to 10,000 pyeong would be appropriate, but the financial burden related to land acquisition and reconstruction will continue to be negotiated. A joint committee of Geochang, Hamyang, and Hapcheon counties will be formed to discuss this at the report meeting scheduled for March.

County Governor Gu In-mo said, “Although detailed guidelines such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s financial contribution have not been decided, we plan to consult with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Korean Red Cross, Gyeongsangnam-do, and related agencies in Hamyang and Hapcheon counties based on the ongoing feasibility study results of Geochang Red Cross Hospital.”

The Geochang area’s regional responsible medical institution was designated as Geochang Red Cross Hospital following the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s announcement of measures to strengthen regional medical care in November 2019. The plan is to relocate and reconstruct Geochang Red Cross Hospital and operate a regional emergency medical center, cardiovascular disease center, and maternal and child medical center.

Along with Geochang Red Cross Hospital, the Gyeongnam Tongyeong Red Cross Hospital, which also has a plan for relocation and reconstruction as a regional responsible medical institution, is currently undergoing a feasibility study. The relocation site has not yet been finalized, and since the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s financial burden standards have not been decided, it is expected to take some time to finalize the site selection.

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