South Korea launches Essential Healthcare Policy Package

The Essential Healthcare Policy Package calls for over $8b in investments.

South Korea’s Ministry of Health has implemented the Essential Healthcare Policy Package as a reform for healthcare access in the country.

One of the plans is the establishment of a local healthcare development, serving to lessen the reliance on the “Big 5” hospitals in Seoul, expanding local admission quotas and supporting contractual doctors in several areas around the country.

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The package will also involve over $7.54b (KRW10t) of investments for fair compensation and an increase in essential healthcare services, covering fields like paediatrics, obstetrics, gynaecology, cardiology, and emergency medicine.

Moreover, efforts to expand the healthcare workforce include abolishing 36-hour shifts with a pilot project model and increasing medical school admissions.

The government also pushes for an Act on Special Cases Concerning Medical Accidents to shield doctors from prosecution in certain prosecutorial cases.

The plan serves as the culmination of 130 meetings between the government and the medical community to strengthen local healthcare.