Han Deok-su: "No Medical Collapse During Chuseok... Medical Reform Must Be Completed"

"Emergency Room Roundabout, Result of Decades-Delayed Reform"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo reiterated the government's determination to complete medical reform, stating, "Contrary to some concerns during the Chuseok holiday period, our healthcare system did not collapse."

On the 18th, through Facebook, Prime Minister Han said, "Fortunately, even under difficult conditions, the emergency medical system is functioning," and "this is thanks above all to our citizens who gave up using the emergency room for patients in more critical condition than themselves." He added, "The number of patients visiting the emergency room during the holiday was about 10,000 to 13,000 fewer compared to last year's Chuseok or this year's Lunar New Year holidays, and the number of severe patients was also somewhat lower than usual."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is visiting Hwasun Jeonnam National University Hospital in Hwasun County, Jeollanam-do on the morning of the 13th to comfort patients who are hospitalized.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Prime Minister Han stated, "I do not think the emergency medical response during this holiday period was entirely satisfactory to the public," and evaluated, "There were indeed several heart-stopping moments, but everyone worked together to prevent major accidents."

He continued, "The government is pushing forward with medical reform in the hope that such incidents will disappear in the future," pointing out, "As a result of postponing reforms for decades due to fear of the costs, we have suffered hardships such as 'emergency room cycling,' 'pediatric open runs,' and 'ambulance deliveries.'

He emphasized, "Even though it is painful, we must steadily push forward so that heartbreaking news like 'ambulances carrying high-risk mothers could not find a hospital to accept them, leading to dozens of phone calls' will disappear."