Korean Medicine Association Urges Allowing Rapid Antigen COVID-19 Tests at Clinics... Files Administrative Lawsuit

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The Korea Oriental Medicine Association is filing a lawsuit against the government, which does not recognize rapid antigen tests (RAT) for COVID-19 used by oriental medicine clinics.

On the 12th, the association announced that it would file an administrative lawsuit against the Ministry of Health and Welfare at the Seoul Administrative Court. The association explained, "Oriental medicine doctors have the obligation to diagnose, report, and notify according to the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, but due to restrictions imposed by the quarantine authorities, they are unable to fulfill their duties and responsibilities as medical professionals," adding, "We are filing this administrative lawsuit to overcome this situation."

Currently, the quarantine authorities include oriental medicine clinics among outpatient treatment centers that provide face-to-face care for confirmed COVID-19 patients, but they do not allow oriental medicine clinics to conduct expert rapid antigen tests. According to the association, the Ministry of Health and Welfare restricts the registration of confirmed cases identified through rapid antigen tests conducted at oriental medicine clinics in the Disease Control and Prevention Agency's system.

Last month, the association issued a statement urging the government to guarantee at the national level the active participation of oriental medicine doctors in all COVID-19 related testing and treatment, and to immediately implement health insurance coverage for rapid antigen tests conducted by oriental medicine doctors. However, when the government officially announced that it is not considering allowing expert rapid antigen tests at oriental medicine clinics, the association opposed this decision and declared that it would proceed with the tests regardless.

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