Lee Gi-il, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, Meets with Medical Association to Discuss COVID-19 Resurgence Response Measures

On the 14th, Lee Ki-il, Minister of Health and Welfare, and Lee Pil-su, President of the Korean Medical Association, are discussing COVID-19 response measures at the Korean Medical Association's temporary Yongsan office.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The Korean Medical Association (KMA) discussed COVID-19 resurgence prevention and medical response measures with Lee Gi-il, the 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, at the KMA's temporary Yongsan office in Seoul on the afternoon of the 14th.

The KMA explained that Vice Minister Lee's visit was made to seek professional advice on COVID-19 response and to discuss cooperation within the medical delivery system.

Vice Minister Lee stated, "Since Omicron, the response paradigm has shifted from infection control to managing high-risk groups and preventing severe cases, focusing PCR testing capacity on high-risk groups, and expanding testing in private medical institutions through close cooperation with the KMA," adding, "We aim to maintain and develop this cooperative relationship to respond to the resurgence of new COVID-19 variants (BA.4, BA.5) in the second half of the year."

The KMA expressed agreement and support for the government's response direction and proposed the prompt implementation of ▲rapid antigen testing (RAT) in medical institutions to respond to the fast spread ▲systematization of the 'Get-ready system' for timely provision of therapeutics ▲standardization of enhanced response capabilities through strengthening the roles of local governments and public health centers.

KMA President Lee Pil-soo said, "In response to the rapidly spreading resurgence trend, the KMA has issued a public recommendation emphasizing the 4th vaccine dose for high-risk patients with underlying conditions and the elderly, thorough personal hygiene, and active visits to medical institutions," adding, "Since it is important that the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and the Central Disease Control Headquarters' policies are promptly and accurately communicated to frontline medical institutions, let us communicate and cooperate smoothly."