Emergency patients can use 408 emergency rooms nationwide operating 24 hours a day
The government has announced information on clinics and hospitals that will remain open or provide non-face-to-face medical services ahead of the medical community's collective strike scheduled for the 18th.
On the 17th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that information on local clinics and hospitals open tomorrow (the 18th), when the medical community's collective strike is expected, can be confirmed through call centers such as the Health and Welfare Call Center 129, Emergency Situation Management Center 119, National Health Insurance Service 1577-1100, and Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service 1644-2000.
Online, you can check clinics and hospitals open by city, county, or district on the Emergency Medical Portal. Additionally, you can access the Emergency Medical Portal through the websites of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, and local public health centers. You can also download the smartphone application 'Emergency Medical Information Provision' (E-Gen) to find nearby clinics and hospitals.
Places offering non-face-to-face medical services can be found on the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service website under the 'Non-face-to-face Medical Service Pilot Project Medical Institutions' menu.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has allowed non-face-to-face medical services at all types of medical institutions, including clinics and hospitals, since February 23. From April 3, non-face-to-face medical services have also been permitted at public health centers and health sub-centers.
Non-face-to-face medical services are available for both initial and follow-up visits. However, in principle, prescription medications can only be received by the patient or an authorized representative (such as a direct ascendant of the patient).
Emergency patients can use any of the 408 emergency rooms nationwide that operate 24 hours a day in accordance with the Emergency Medical Service Act.
Jung Tong-ryong, Head of the Emergency Medical Situation Room at the Central Accident Response Headquarters for the Medical Community's Collective Action, said, "Even during the period of the medical community's collective strike, we will do our best to operate the emergency medical system to minimize harm to public safety and actively provide information on clinics and hospitals available for treatment through various media."
He added, "While emergency patients can receive prompt treatment at emergency rooms during the collective strike, non-emergency patients are encouraged to check and use clinics, hospitals, or public health centers that are open or utilize non-face-to-face medical services. It is also a good idea to call ahead to confirm normal operation and to obtain usual prescriptions in advance."
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