"Resolving Medical Blind Spots in the Southern Region Is Urgently Needed"
Kim Minsu, a proportional representative of the Chungnam Provincial Council from the Democratic Party of Korea, has called for the establishment of a branch of Gongju Medical Center in Buyeo-gun to address the medical blind spots in the southern region of Chungnam.
On the morning of the 19th, during the 2nd plenary session of the 357th extraordinary meeting held at the main hall of the Chungnam Provincial Council, Kim emphasized in a five-minute speech that setting up a Buyeo branch of Gongju Medical Center is essential to resolve the medical service gap in the southern region.
Kim pointed out, "Currently, there are four local medical centers operating in Cheonan, Gongju, Seosan, and Hongseong, but the four cities and counties in southern Chungnam?Nonsan, Buyeo, Seocheon, and Geumsan?are excluded from the service areas of these centers and are thus left in medical blind spots."
He continued, "Considering the population size, local conditions, and the financial situation of Chungnam Province, it is difficult to establish a new local medical center in this area immediately. Therefore, setting up a branch of Gongju Medical Center in Buyeo is considered the most desirable solution," and requested, "I urge the province to actively review and ensure its realization with keen interest."
Kim added, "As of 2022, the proportion of public medical institutions in major OECD countries is 57%, whereas in Korea it is only 5.2%." He went on, "Since the government has announced its intention to actively support the establishment of public hospitals in consideration of local circumstances through the 2nd Basic Plan for Public Health and Medical Care, I strongly urge you to ensure the establishment of a Buyeo branch of Gongju Medical Center to resolve the public healthcare blind spots in southern Chungnam, along with the installation of a Naepo General Medical Facility."
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