Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo is attending the full meeting of the Health and Welfare Committee held at the National Assembly on the 12th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Health and Welfare Minister Park Neung-hoo sparked controversy by stating that the shortage of masks for medical staff is "because they want to stockpile them generously themselves." In response, the government announced on the 13th that "masks at medical sites may be insufficient and are being expanded."
Son Young-rae, spokesperson for the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day, "Not only medical staff but also hospital workers need to wear masks, so it is judged that there may be shortages at medical sites."
Son explained, "Among the publicly purchased masks, distribution to medical staff is prioritized first, and 1 million masks per day are forcibly allocated. We have contracted to expand this to 1.44 million masks to ensure maximum distribution to medical sites, and we are also making efforts to increase supply beyond that."
Regarding the minister's remarks the previous day, he clarified, "It seems the minister intended to emphasize that the supply of Level D protective gear distributed to medical sites in Daegu is sufficient compared to the required quantity, which led to that response."
Son added, "Level D protective gear is stocked in sufficient quantities assuming 10,000 patients will occur, so there is no shortage. Currently, the principle is to supply it to medical staff who directly face confirmed patients, but there have been requests for additional supply, and adjustments are underway."
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