President Moon Visits COVID-19 Designated Hospital: "Securing Beds Is Key to Returning to Normal"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 24th, President Moon Jae-in visited Ewha Womans University and the affiliated Seoul Hospital of the College of Medicine in Magok-dong, Seoul, to check the status of COVID-19 bed availability.

Ewha Seoul Hospital is the first university hospital in Seoul to be designated as a COVID-19 dedicated base hospital.

President Moon stated, "Securing beds is a crucial factor for us to return to normal life," and added, "The government will do its best to expand beds as soon as possible so that we can return to daily life."

He then toured the ward where critically ill patients receive treatment and listened to explanations from Kim Chung-jong, head of the Infectious Diseases Department, and nurse Jin Ye-eun. He also observed a scene where medical staff communicated with a patient undergoing treatment via intercom.

Professor Kim said, "Among severe patients, there is a significant difference between those who have been vaccinated and those who have not. It is essential to receive additional vaccine doses." President Moon responded, "Please have the media convey this well. This is a very earnest request from the medical staff."

President Moon said, "Tomorrow is Christmas, and the year-end and New Year holidays are approaching. I visited to express special gratitude to the medical staff working hard on the COVID-19 frontlines," and greeted, "Merry Christmas."

He also urged Kwon Deok-cheol, Minister of Health and Welfare, who accompanied him that day, to "make efforts to alleviate the trauma of medical staff and provide incentives," mentioning the hardships faced by the medical personnel.