411 Public Health Doctors Deployed, but Jeonnam's Medical Gaps Widen

Although Jeonnam Province has deployed around 400 public health doctors to fill gaps in medically underserved areas, concerns are growing at the field level that this is merely a “stopgap response” due to a sharp decline in core medical personnel.

On April 15, Jeonnam Province announced that it had deployed a total of 411 public health doctors-including 173 newly appointed ones-to local health centers, health sub-centers, provincial medical centers, and emergency rooms in vulnerable areas.

These doctors are responsible for providing primary care (including medical, dental, and Korean medicine) at 274 key medical bases.

On the 15th, Jeonnam Province assigned a total of 411 individuals, including 173 new public health doctors, to local health centers, branch health centers, provincial medical centers, and emergency rooms in vulnerable areas within the province.
[Photo by Jeonnam Province]

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The main issue is not the scale, but the structure. According to Jeonnam Province, the number of public health doctors this year has decreased by 65 compared to last year, reaching an all-time low.

In particular, the number of public health doctors specializing in medicine has dropped by 51, resulting in a significant shortage of personnel responsible for emergency and basic care. The number of Korean medicine practitioners also declined by 15, while dental doctors increased by just one.

This decrease is attributed to several factors: the difference in service periods compared to active-duty soldiers, the increase in female medical students, and the expansion of military leaves of absence for medical students. As a result, the very foundation for recruitment has weakened. There is growing criticism that the existing system, which relies on “conscription-style staffing” for local medical care, has reached its limits.

Jeonnam Province has taken emergency action by introducing “alternative personnel” and changing “operational methods.”

At 65 health sub-centers with no medical public health doctors, dedicated public health officials are being assigned. At 139 locations, public health doctors from health centers will provide rotating services. In 12 areas with private hospitals, the facilities will be converted entirely into health promotion-focused institutions.

Separately, Jeonnam Province has allocated 1.7 billion won to provide monthly allowances of 4 million won along with housing and research support to 24 specialists as an incentive. Plans are also in place to implement telemedicine, remote consultations, and utilize senior doctors in parallel.

Jeong Gwangseon, Director of Health and Welfare at Jeonnam Province, stated, “Preventing gaps in regional healthcare can no longer be delayed,” adding, “We will do our utmost to ensure that residents in underserved areas can receive care with peace of mind, wherever they are.”

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