KMA: "Next Government Must Take Bold Investment and Support in Infectious Disease Management"

by Lee Gwanju

Published 24 Apr.2022 16:19(KST)

Adoption of the Resolution at the Delegate Assembly General Meeting

[Photo by Korean Medical Association]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The Korean Medical Association has urged the next government to make bold investments and support for infectious disease management and prevention.

On the 24th, the KMA held its regular general assembly at The-K Hotel Seoul in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and adopted a resolution on the direction of medical policy.

In the resolution, the KMA stated, "In the unprecedented global crisis of COVID-19, medical personnel have worked tirelessly day and night alongside the government at the frontlines of quarantine to restore daily life to the people, risking infection to save precious lives," adding, "It is still a time when the threat of infection has not completely ended, and all members of the nation must unite to protect the safety and lives of the people and to ensure a swift return to normal life."

The KMA particularly diagnosed that various problems in the medical system were exposed during the global crisis of COVID-19, and that a completely new healthcare system different from the past is now required to respond. Through the resolution, the KMA pledged to do its best to protect the safety and health of the people and urged the next government to "not discriminate between public and private sectors but to induce harmonious development, protect public health, and make bold investments and support in infectious disease management, prevention, and medical stability."

Furthermore, the KMA emphasized that the government should respect experts, and the KMA should cooperate with government medical policies to broaden mutual understanding and work closely to serve the people with a safe and healthy medical environment.

Opposition voices also emerged against the movement to enact the Nursing Act. In the resolution, the KMA declared, "Should attempts to enact the law continue to collapse the current system despite our collective will and requests, all members will rise up and engage in a strong struggle together with the people," making it clear. The general assembly also recommended that the KMA executive establish and prepare an extraordinary plan to block the enactment of the Nursing Act.