[Good Brain 2023] Deputy Minister Ki-il Lee "Strengthening Care and Medical Services for Dementia Patients"

Lee Gi-il, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated on the 20th, "We will strengthen dementia care and medical services so that dementia patients can enjoy living in their own homes rather than in facilities or hospitals."

Lee Gi-il, the 1st Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 'Good Brain 2023 Conference' hosted by Asia Economy on the 20th at the Orchid Room of the Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

At the 'Good Brain 2023 Conference' held on the 20th at the Westin Chosun Seoul, Lee Gi-il said, "Due to population aging and the increase in dementia patients, there is growing interest both domestically and internationally in the prevention and treatment of dementia."

Vice Minister Lee said, "We are promoting a pilot project for customized case management starting in July to strengthen service support for dementia patients in care blind spots, and we plan to expand it nationwide next year. We also plan to enhance medical support, including the introduction of a dedicated physician system, so that dementia patients can live in their own homes and receive better treatment and management."

With life expectancy increasing worldwide, population aging is progressing rapidly. If the current trend continues, the number of dementia patients in OECD countries is estimated to double by 2050. It is expected that next year, when Korea enters the era of 10 million elderly people, the number of dementia patients aged 65 and over will exceed 1 million.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare is also implementing various policies for dementia patients. To provide systematic counseling and services for dementia patients, 256 Dementia Safety Centers have been established nationwide. Dementia Safety Hospitals, which provide intensive care for patients requiring hospitalization due to severe dementia symptoms, are also being supported.

Vice Minister Lee mentioned, "To support the development of technologies that can prevent and treat dementia, the Dementia Overcoming Research and Development Project Group was launched in July 2020," adding, "Research and development investments for dementia prediction and diagnosis technologies and drug development are also ongoing."

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