Yoon says medical personnel increase is essential

Oct 20, 2023, 09:14 am

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President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a meeting on medical sector reform at Chungbuk National University in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, on Oct. 19, 2023./ Source: Yonhap News

AsiaToday reporter Hong Sun-mi

President Yoon Suk-yeol stressed on Thursday that expanding medical workforce and fostering talent are essential to restore local and critical health services and prepare for the nation’s transition to a super-aged society.

Yoon’s remark came during a meeting on medical sector reform at Chungbuk National University in Cheongju. “We need to straighten up the supply and use system of collapsed medical services and expand essential medical personnel in the region,” he said.

The president clarified his willingness to raise the enrollment quota at medical schools, which has been frozen for nearly two decades, saying, “We need to foster medical workforce.”

Yoon said the government will work to increase personnel in the obstetrics and pediatrics fields by reducing the legal risks involved in their practice, adjusting relevant insurance fees and updating compensation plans.

He also noted the need to develop national university hospitals into a central pillar of the essential medical care system in order to prevent the collapse of local health services. To that end, he said the government has transferred oversight of national university hospitals from the education ministry to the health ministry.

“The purpose of medical reform is for the people,” he said. “We promise to fully communicate with the medical community and experts so that the policy effect for the people can be done properly,” he added.

After listening to discussions among heads of 10 national university hospitals and other medical experts, Yoon stressed that he would spend more money on health care to protect the people’s health and lives, according to presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon.

“Some are worried that we would lose the election if we pursue this kind of work, but we should continue to do politics for the people, not for elections,” Yoon said, adding, “There are many people who point out that I am lacking in communication with people, so I try to reflect on myself and communicate more.”

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