Medical Association General Assembly Held Ahead of New Government Inauguration... COVID-19 and Nursing Act as Key Topics

At the regular general assembly of the Korean Medical Association held at The-K Hotel Seoul on the 24th, attendees are performing the national ceremony.
[Photo by Korean Medical Association]

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[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] At the regular general assembly of the Korean Medical Association held ahead of the new government’s inauguration, key topics included COVID-19 response, appropriate medical fees, and responses to the Nursing Act.

The KMA held its regular general assembly on the morning of the 24th at The-K Hotel Seoul in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Many lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties attended, appearing to seek the medical community’s support ahead of the local elections.

At the meeting, the KMA did not hold back criticism of COVID-19 quarantine policies. Park Seong-min, chairman of the delegate council, emphasized in his opening remarks, “We must promptly address changes in medical systems or treatment methods that were temporarily created for convenience during urgent situations, while enhancing the nation’s capacity to respond to emergency medical needs. We should adhere to the principle of solving problems through science rather than political perspectives in quarantine and treatment.” Park particularly pointed out, “It was truly frustrating that frontline doctors had to learn about frequently changing quarantine guidelines through the news.”

Park also stressed the establishment of a proper fee system. He said, “As everyone knows, our country’s health insurance system is based on doctors’ sacrifices due to low fees. At this point, as we enter a super-aged society, I hope we can move toward a proper health insurance system that benefits all citizens by carefully understanding issues such as population decline and increased elderly medical expenses.”

Lee Pil-su, President of the Korean Medical Association.
[Photo by Korean Medical Association]

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He also addressed the controversy surrounding the enactment of the Nursing Act. Park emphasized, “We must clearly define the scope of work among professions to prevent professional selfishness from infringing on the public’s right to health or causing great confusion and problems in the national health care sector.”

Along with this, KMA President Lee Pil-su stressed the need to maintain vigilance against COVID-19. Lee said, “The spread of COVID-19 can intensify again at any time, and the possibility of new or variant strains cannot be ruled out. Therefore, we doctors must steadfastly protect the medical field to safeguard public health and lives without losing vigilance.”

Lee presented the following agenda for the next government to advance health care: ▲Policy formulation that actively reflects the opinions of field experts ▲Revitalization of essential medical care ▲Respect and appropriate compensation for medical personnel who devoted themselves during COVID-19 ▲Immediate reform of the medical delivery system centered on local clinics and hospitals ▲Paradigm shifts toward appropriate burden, appropriate benefits, and appropriate fees.

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