Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong's First On-Site Visit... Visit to National Medical Center

"Strengthening Essential and Public Healthcare"

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] Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare, made his first on-site visit by visiting the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul.

On the 7th, Minister Cho visited the National Medical Center to tour the Emergency Medical Center, Trauma Center, Central Emergency Medical Situation Room, and the new site for the relocation of the US Army Corps of Engineers where the Central Infectious Disease Hospital will be established. This was his first field visit since taking office on the 5th.

At the site, Minister Cho stated that to support the recovery of daily life while minimizing health damage to the public, they will establish a permanent infectious disease response system including focused management of high-risk groups, securing isolation beds, and manpower.

He also emphasized the role of the state in essential and public medical fields, pledging to modernize the National Medical Center and build the Central Infectious Disease Hospital by 2027.

Regarding essential medical care, Minister Cho stressed that comprehensive measures will be prepared to strengthen essential medical personnel and infrastructure and introduce public policy fees to prevent tragedies like the death of a nurse at Asan Hospital from recurring.

The government also plans to reform the emergency medical system to ensure rapid and appropriate provision from transport to final treatment in emergency situations such as severe trauma and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.