Ministry of Health and Welfare Discusses Regional and Essential Medical Issues with Korean Association of Specialized Hospitals

On the 15th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it discussed medical issues with the Korea Association of Specialized Hospitals and listened to difficulties in operating specialized hospitals.

The specialized hospital designation system was introduced in 2011 to nurture small and medium-sized hospitals with expertise and capabilities in specific disease groups such as burns, finger replantation, and alcohol addiction, aiming to alleviate the concentration of patients in large hospitals and provide high-quality medical services to patients. Currently, 114 specialized hospitals in 17 fields have been designated.

The meeting was chaired by Park Min-su, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Representatives of specialized hospitals treating various medical departments and disease groups such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, burns, finger replantation, ophthalmology, addiction, and pediatrics attended, including Lee Sang-deok, president of the Korea Association of Specialized Hospitals (director of Hana Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital). The attendees discussed strengthening the role of specialized hospitals and support measures to contribute to the expansion of regional and essential medical care.

Heo Jun, chairman of the Education and Training Committee of the Specialized Hospital Association (director of Hangang Seongsim Hospital), explained the difficulties on the ground, saying, "We agree with the government's vision for essential medical care policy, but specialized hospitals find it difficult to participate in the emergency medical system." He added, "The reason is that it is practically difficult to meet the personnel standards required to be designated as an emergency medical center." He further stated, "An approach tailored to the characteristics of each disease and specialty handled by specialized hospitals is necessary."

President Lee Sang-deok said, "Although 24-hour continuous care is possible, there is no compensation system for night and emergency care," and urged, "We need to resolve this through continuous communication reflecting the various positions of the medical community, and please listen more carefully to field opinions so that specialized hospitals can play a proper role in medical policy."

Vice Minister Park Min-su stated, "Specialized hospitals should serve as a hub connecting local clinics and tertiary hospitals in the medical delivery system," and added, "We will review institutional and financial support measures to ensure that specialized hospitals can function smoothly in the government's ongoing regional and essential medical care innovation plan."

The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to continue gathering opinions not only from the medical community, who are directly involved in the medical field, but also from various sectors representing the public.

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