Minister of Health and Welfare Discusses 'Essential Medical Measures' with Six Health and Medical Organizations

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare, held a meeting with the heads of six health and medical organizations, including the Korean Medical Association and the Korean Hospital Association, to discuss a comprehensive plan for essential medical care.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 18th, the meeting held at the Koreana Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, was attended by seven government officials including Minister Cho and Lim In-taek, Director of Health and Medical Policy, and six representatives from the medical community: Lee Pil-su, President of the Korean Medical Association; Yoon Dong-seop, President of the Korean Hospital Association; Park Tae-geun, President of the Korean Dental Association; Hong Ju-ui, President of the Korean Oriental Medical Association; Choi Kwang-hoon, President of the Korean Pharmaceutical Association; and Shin Kyung-rim, President of the Korean Nurses Association.

At the meeting, Minister Cho expressed gratitude for the cooperation and dedication shown by the health and medical organizations during the COVID-19 response and emphasized the need to focus capabilities on quarantine and medical response amid concerns over the simultaneous resurgence of COVID-19 and influenza this coming winter, urging active cooperation.

He also requested that the medical community actively voice their opinions regarding the 'Comprehensive Plan for Essential Medical Care,' which the government and medical sector are discussing following the death of a nurse at Seoul Asan Medical Center.

The government is currently discussing comprehensive measures centered on improving diagnostic systems, infrastructure development, and compensation plans to provide emergency treatment and prevention for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as acute myocardial infarction and stroke.

Minister Cho mentioned that the essential medical care consultative body, which includes the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Medical Association, and the Hospital Association, has been operating since the 19th of last month, and said, "I hope practical measures will be established to sufficiently provide severe and emergency medical care directly related to the lives and safety of the people, as well as pediatric and obstetric care, which are facing difficulties in adequate medical service supply."

He further proposed, "Let the government and the medical community hold regular dialogues and communication sessions to deeply discuss not only current issues but also mid- to long-term development plans, so that we can achieve the advancement and leap forward of Korean health and medical care."

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