Health Minister Cho Kyu-hong: "Medical License Revocation Law, Alternative Is Reasonable"... Nursing Act Viewed 'Negatively'

Health and medical sectors' "hot potato" issues, the Nursing Act and the Medical License Revocation Act (Medical Act amendment), have faced repeated negative remarks from Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare, regarding the original bill's passage.

Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong is deep in thought at the Health and Welfare Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

원본보기 아이콘

On the 24th, Minister Cho appeared at the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee plenary session and responded to a question from Shin Hyun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, about the enactment of the Nursing Act by stating, "I have doubts whether the Nursing Act alone is the best solution for improving nurses' treatment and expanding roles in response to changes in the medical environment."

He added, "There could be demands for independent laws from other professions such as Korean medicine doctors and physical therapists," and said, "I believe it is better to review this within the current Medical Act system." This came amid opposition from the Health and Welfare Medical Solidarity, composed of 13 health and medical organizations excluding the nursing sector, raising concerns about potential confusion in the medical field.

Regarding the current Medical License Revocation Act, he said, "There are concerns about excessive legislation, and some opinions suggest it may be unconstitutional," adding, "The ruling party and government proposed an alternative to revoke licenses only for medical personnel who commit medical-related crimes, sex crimes, and other serious crimes instead of all crimes, which is more reasonable."

The Medical Act amendment, known as the Medical License Revocation Act, aims to allow the revocation of licenses for medical personnel sentenced to imprisonment or higher.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.