[2022 National Audit] "Need to Supplement Policies on Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia" Pointed Out at Welfare Committee Audit

Cho Kyu-hong, the newly appointed Minister of Health and Welfare, is attending the National Assembly's audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare held on the 5th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] On the 6th, during the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee's audit, opinions were raised on the need for policy improvements regarding mild cognitive impairment and dementia, which have a high likelihood of progressing to dementia.

On that day, Baek Jong-heon, a member of the Health and Welfare Committee from the People Power Party, called Yang Dong-won, chairman of the Korean Dementia Association, as a witness to emphasize the necessity of policies targeting mild cognitive impairment. Baek stated, "The number of patients with mild cognitive impairment, which can be considered a pre-dementia stage, currently stands at 2.54 million," and added, "I believe there is a need to supply and expand programs for those with mild cognitive impairment."

Regarding mild cognitive impairment, Chairman Yang said, "There are no effective drugs yet for mild cognitive impairment, so management is not well established." He explained, "Using recently developed cognitive intervention therapies can reduce the risk of progressing to dementia, but verified programs are necessary for this, which are currently lacking. Some welfare centers or dementia relief centers are still using unverified programs."

When Baek asked whether the Ministry of Health and Welfare was aware of the indiscriminate use of unverified programs, Choi Jong-gyun, Director of Population Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, responded, "I think it is necessary to establish a system where effective programs can be utilized."

Chairman Yang emphasized that to promote active diagnosis and treatment of mild cognitive impairment, the disease code should be changed. He said, "This disease is currently classified under the F code, categorizing it as a psychiatric disorder. As a result, even when patients receive a diagnosis, they doubt whether they have a psychiatric illness, and private insurance does not cover it." He also stated, "Although cognitive intervention therapy has already been proven effective, it is not widely used because it is not covered by insurance."

Lee Jong-sung, a member of the People Power Party, questioned the previous administration's national dementia responsibility system. Lee claimed, "They promised to newly establish 130 dementia-specialized long-term care institutions, but only 25 are currently operating," and added, "Abuse within facilities for dementia patients is also serious." He further pointed out, "They intended to designate 79 public nursing hospitals as dementia relief hospitals, but only 9 have been designated."

In response, Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong said, "There is a need to strengthen national measures related to dementia," and added, "Due to the progression of aging, this is very important, so we will review existing policies and develop supplementary measures."