Ahn Cheol-soo: "Mycoplasma Pneumonia Spreading... Government Must Raise Response Level"

Ahn Cheol-soo, a doctor-turned-lawmaker from the People Power Party, has raised his voice urging our health authorities to elevate their response level to Mycoplasma pneumonia, a respiratory disease currently spreading in China.

On the 5th, Ahn stated on his social media, "Urgent government action is needed against the epidemic threatening our children."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As Mycoplasma pneumonia spreads mainly in China, Taiwan has advised elderly people and children with weakened immune systems to refrain from traveling to China, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has requested an investigation in China. In response, the Korean Pediatric Hospital Association also warned the government yesterday to prepare preventive measures in advance.

Ahn expressed concern, saying, "While Taiwan is already on high alert, our health authorities maintain that since the disease is not yet widespread domestically and can be treated, it is sufficient to enhance personal preventive measures such as wearing masks. However, experts point out that this alone is not enough."

He added, "According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, 63% of the 17,607 Mycoplasma pneumonia patients last year were under 9 years old. Pediatric hospitals are worried that 'the pediatric and adolescent care field is already short-staffed, and with the recent surge in patients infected with various viruses such as influenza, if Mycoplasma pneumonia also becomes widespread, a pediatric care crisis will occur.'

Ahn said, "It is a serious self-contradiction to worry about the low birthrate issue while failing to provide even the minimum health environment necessary to raise children without worry," urging, "The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and health authorities should take more proactive measures for our children."