Public Healthcare Forum "Urgent Need to Expand Publicization of Medical Supply"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The Public Medical Forum held a discussion on the 21st at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, 2nd Small Conference Room, under the theme "Tasks for Expanding Public Healthcare under the New Government and the Role of Local Governments."

On this day, Assembly members Bae Jin-kyo, Shin Hyun-young, and Lee Yong-bin attended the event.

The 4th discussion was chaired by Professor Jeong Baek-geun (Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine), with keynote presentations by Policy Chairman Jeong Hyeong-jun (Korean Federation of Health and Medical Organizations) and Professor Na Baek-ju (University of Seoul). Participants in the discussion included Executive Director Kim Hyun-joo (Ulsan Health Solidarity), Co-Representative Lee Jeong-hyun (Daegu Citizens' Action for New Public Hospital Establishment), Standing Representative Jo Gyu-seok (Bucheon Public Hospital Establishment Promotion Committee), Research Fellow Kim Gye-hyun (Medical Policy Research Institute), reporter Jeong Yoon-sik, and Professor Park Jong-hyuk (Chungbuk National University), among others.

Co-Representative of the Public Medical Forum, Assembly member Lee Yong-bin (Democratic Party of Korea, Gwangju Gwangsan-gap), said in his opening remarks, "The COVID-19 variant outbreak has starkly revealed the vulnerabilities of Korea's healthcare system, reigniting discussions on strengthening the public healthcare system," adding, "With the inauguration of the new government and the upcoming local elections, this forum was organized to discuss the roles of the government and local governments in expanding public healthcare."

Jo Seung-yeon, President of the National Association of Local Medical Centers, delivered a congratulatory speech, stating, "Over the past 20 years, although the pace and direction have varied slightly, the government has made efforts to develop public healthcare," and expressed hope that "efforts to expand and strengthen public hospitals while gradually reducing health disparities by region, class, and sector will continue."

Policy Chairman Jeong Hyeong-jun pointed out in his presentation, "During COVID-19, most public hospitals were completely exhausted by infectious disease treatment, and without proper national support and investment, returning to routine care and normal operations has become extremely difficult, nearing collapse," and criticized, "Key policies of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, such as 'public healthcare policy fees' and 'strengthening the public nature of regional healthcare,' are close to medical privatization as they entrust existing public sectors to the private sector."

Additionally, Professor Na Baek-ju highlighted problems in the overly private hospital-centered medical field, including ▲ weak function in curbing medical expenses ▲ neglect of medically vulnerable areas and lack of medical accessibility for vulnerable groups ▲ poor working conditions for healthcare workers.

Furthermore, Professor Na emphasized, "To prepare for a second COVID-19, it is necessary to expand disaster medical response infrastructure through the expansion of existing public hospitals and the construction of new public hospitals in intermediate medical service areas," and stressed, "Along with expanding public health medical facility infrastructure, an integrated plan is needed to establish a delivery system between public hospitals and public health centers, as well as a human resource management system."

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