President Moon speaks with frontline medical staff by phone... Urges response to Omicron

Checking the situation and encouraging the medical staff ahead of Seol holiday
Ordered sufficient supply of treatment medicine to Cheonghae Unit

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the afternoon of the 28th, President Moon Jae-in had a phone call with frontline medical staff to check the COVID-19 quarantine and medical response situation and to encourage their hard work.

In a call with Lee Pil-su, President of the Korean Medical Association, President Moon said, "Thanks to the participation and dedication of medical staff after COVID-19, K-quarantine has received international recognition as successful," and added, "I would like to express my gratitude once again through today's call."

He also said, "With the spread of Omicron, the role and participation of local clinics and hospitals are important in transitioning the community medical system," expressing thanks for the press conference that announced active cooperation in the transition of the COVID-19 testing and treatment system and the willingness of medical institutions to participate.

President Lee mentioned the need to secure sufficient quantities of diagnostic test kits and oral therapeutics, as well as the establishment of smooth communication systems with local governments, stating, "The Omicron response may not be perfect from the start, but I believe we can overcome it sufficiently."

Next, in a call with Oh Sang-chul, President of the National Association of Public Health Centers, President Moon said, "Thanks to public health centers being responsible for testing, epidemiological investigations, and self-quarantine management so far, exemplary quarantine measures have been possible," and added, "While the transition to a community clinic-centered medical system will reduce the burden on public health centers in the long term, in the short term, there may be a temporary increase in burdens such as distribution of diagnostic test kits and management of local clinics, which makes me feel both heavy-hearted and grateful."

In response, President Oh said, "I appreciate the government's increase in regular staff at public health centers for infectious disease response, and we will do our best to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

President Moon expressed gratitude to Lee Sang-duk, Director of Hana ENT Hospital, saying, "Thank you for playing a major role in treating COVID-19 patients on the front lines and setting an example for the medical community." In response, Director Lee suggested resolving issues through apps, stating, "When the number of confirmed cases rapidly increases, some bottlenecks occur, causing citizens to suffer for several hours even after confirmation."

President Moon replied, "We will resolve this quickly."

Following this, President Moon conveyed his appreciation to the head nurse of a hospital nursing team for their hard work, and the head nurse said, "I feel rewarded when recovered patients come to express their thanks."

Choi Young-kwon, Director of NH Future Children's Hospital, which operates a respiratory clinic, said, "The government supports the installation of negative pressure devices and air purifiers, which has helped the operation run smoothly," and added, "If the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' guidelines are promptly delivered, we will cooperate accordingly."

President Moon said, "There may be trial and error in the early stages, but the government will cooperate well with the medical community to minimize such errors."

Meanwhile, regarding the occurrence of COVID-19 cases in the Cheonghae Unit, President Moon instructed the government to swiftly supply sufficient oral therapeutics in preparation for additional situations, although oral therapeutics have already been distributed, and to manage COVID-19 quarantine measures more meticulously for all dispatched units.