Ministry of Health and Welfare: "Commitment to Medical Reform Remains Unchanged... Medical Community, Please Engage in Dialogue"

Minister Cho Kyu-hong: "Please Present a Unified Alternative"

The government reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to medical reform and urged the medical community to present a 'unified plan' and engage in dialogue.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 15th, Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated in his opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting regarding the doctors' collective action, "The government's will for medical reform remains unchanged," adding, "The four major medical reform tasks, including the expansion of medical school admissions, are prerequisites to revitalize essential and regional healthcare." He continued, "We will do our best to ensure constructive discussions on medical reform tasks," and urged the medical community to "stop collective actions and promptly enter into dialogue."

Minister Cho emphasized, "Considering the 2025 college entrance schedule, there is not much time left," and urged, "The medical community should quickly present a unified alternative based on scientific evidence."

At the CDSCH meeting that day, a tailored management and support system for delays and damage cases in medical treatment due to medical service gaps was discussed.

Since the operation of the Damage Report Support Center began on February 19, a total of 2,295 consultations had been conducted as of the 12th of this month.

Minister Cho stated, "Going forward, the Central Accident Response Headquarters, provincial and municipal governments will establish a close cooperation system to further strengthen a tailored management system for individual patient damage cases," adding, "The government is utilizing available information such as cancer patient counseling centers and cooperative hospitals to handle patient grievances to the maximum extent possible. We plan to prepare and distribute 'Emergency Medical Care System Guidance Materials by Case' for use by local governments in consultations within this week."

Starting from the 18th, the government will conduct training for Physician Assistant (PA) nurses deployed in the emergency medical care system. Training will be provided for 50 newly assigned medical support nurses and 50 nurses responsible for training at each hospital.

Minister Cho said, "This training is a pilot project, and we plan to develop a standard curriculum program of 80 hours across eight fields including surgery and operate a regular training course starting next month," adding, "We will provide maximum support so that medical support nurses can receive high-quality education and training and actively work in medical settings."

To promote social public discussion on medical reform tasks, forums will continue to be held.

Minister Cho stated, "On the 18th of this month, we plan to discuss innovative measures to enhance the capabilities of nurses working in essential medical fields through a forum on 'Innovative Measures to Strengthen Nurse Competencies for Essential Medical Care.'"

He added, "The government will continue to hold forums on various topics necessary for essential medical reform and listen attentively to the valuable opinions of the public and experts."