'Gaps' in Support for Public Medical Institutions Revealed in Minister's On-Site Inspection

Medical Staff: "Ministry of Health and Welfare's Announcement on Dispatching Public Health Doctors to Public Medical Institutions Excludes Nuclear Hospital"
Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT: "I Will Protest to the Minister of Health and Welfare"

The Korea Atomic Energy Hospital under the Ministry of Science and ICT expressed dissatisfaction that it is being neglected by the Ministry of Health and Welfare's support amid a medical vacuum caused by the departure of residents. Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT, who conducted an on-site inspection, responded that he would resolve the issue after a phone call with Minister Cho Kyu-hong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT stopped eating and took notes during a meeting with hospital officials at the Nuclear Medicine Hospital located in Nowon-gu, Seoul on the 12th. Photo by Baek Jong-min

On the 12th, Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT visited the Korea Atomic Energy Hospital in Nowon-gu, Seoul, to encourage the medical staff operating an emergency medical system in response to the collective action of doctors.

The Korea Atomic Energy Hospital, a cancer-specialized hospital under the Ministry of Science and ICT, is operating an emergency medical system to treat severe cancer patients despite the medical vacuum caused by the departure of residents. This hospital previously had 61 residents and fellows working before February 14, but now only 26 remain. Meanwhile, the number of patients has increased. The Korea Atomic Energy Hospital accepted seven cancer patients transferred from the 'Big 5' general hospitals in Seoul, where surgery is difficult, and performed cancer surgeries.

At the meeting held after Minister Lee's on-site inspection, former hospital director Hong Young-jun said, "Medical staff are struggling to maintain public healthcare, but it is overwhelming. I heard from the news yesterday that the Ministry of Health and Welfare is dispatching public health doctors to Bundang Seoul National University Hospital and the National Medical Center, but the Korea Atomic Energy Hospital is excluded," adding, "I hope the Ministry of Science and ICT, which is responsible for the Korea Atomic Energy Hospital, will step up to resolve the manpower shortage." Hospital director Kim Cheol-hyun also explained, "The medical staff's physical strength is reaching its limit as the emergency medical system is added to the existing work of treating severe cancer patients."

Minister Lee, who heard this suggestion, said, "I will personally speak with the Minister of Health and Welfare to protest why public health doctor dispatches were excluded here."

There were also attendees who emphasized the need for active support from the Ministry of Science and ICT. Since public hospitals operated by Seoul City receive financial support and central government ministries are preparing support measures, they requested that the relevant ministries carefully ensure that the Korea Atomic Energy Hospital can also receive support.

Another attendee expressed concern, saying, "Although the Korea Atomic Energy Hospital has faithfully performed its role in a national emergency, it is difficult to receive financial support because it is not affiliated with a university. There is no help from the Ministry of Health and Welfare or local governments. The facilities are deteriorating severely, making it difficult to maintain medical capabilities."

Lee Jin-kyung, director of the Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, said, "We are preparing mid- to long-term innovation plans together with the Ministry of Science and ICT and will strive to become a global hub for digital medical technology that protects the lives of the people and changes lives."

Minister Lee promised, "Once internal improvement measures are prepared, I will make every effort to secure budget support through preliminary feasibility studies."

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