Raising the Need for Structural Reform of the Regional Medical System

Chairperson Jeong Kihyeon of the Medical Innovation Committee emphasized that, in order to preserve Korea’s regional medical system, the structure itself must be redesigned rather than simply adding more policies. He said the prolonged conflict between the medical community and the government over the past two years has revealed the fragility of essential medical care, such as pediatrics, delivery, and emergency care, as well as the decline of regional medical infrastructure. In an interview with Kyunghyang Shinmun on the 25th of last month, Chairperson Jeong pointed out that the current regional delivery, newborn, and pediatric emergency system is barely being maintained by the sacrifices and inertia of hospitals. He said this should be regarded as essential infrastructure that the state must take responsibility for, like fire stations and police stations, and that a new cooperation system among medical institutions in each region must be established. The Medical Innovation Committee, launched in December last year, is composed of 27 privatesector members, including representatives from patients, civil society, regions, youth, and labor, as well as 3 government members, and has presented recommendations to the government through seven meetings so far. Taking the restoration of regional and essential medical care as its first task, the committee continues to promote public discussion and develop alternatives.