Gurye-gun Issues Statement on Attracting Medical School to Eastern Jeonnam Region

Published 17 May.2024 11:07(KST)

Attracting Medical Schools, A New Path for Regional Development

Kim Sun-ho, the former governor of Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, held a press conference at the county office's main conference room on the 16th and issued a statement actively supporting the attraction of a medical school to the eastern region of Jeollanam-do.

In the opening of his statement, Governor Kim said, "The eastern region of Jeollanam-do is a medical desert, and attracting a medical school is necessary to fill the gap in public healthcare." He added, "The area has a very high population density and numerous industrial sites accounting for 70% of Jeollanam-do's production, raising concerns about large-scale accidents. Therefore, a medical system covering various fields, including trauma centers, is needed."

[Photo by Gurye-gun]

He especially emphasized the necessity of attracting a medical school to the eastern region of Jeollanam-do, stating, "About 40% of our county's residents are elderly aged 65 or older, and although the number of patients using advanced hospitals is continuously increasing, the absence of nearby advanced hospitals means they cannot enjoy public medical services."

He also said, "The attraction of a national medical school is an important national health policy that requires comprehensive review and rational judgment through a public discussion process based on highly objective data," and added, "It should be achieved through a government-led public contest that guarantees legal procedures, principles, and fairness that all 1.8 million residents of Jeollanam-do can accept."

He continued, "Residents of the eastern region, the medical community, and the education sector must actively cooperate and make efforts to attract the medical school," and declared, "Together with the people of Gurye-gun, I actively support the attraction of a medical school to the eastern region of Jeollanam-do."