Prime Minister Urges Expansion of Medical School Admissions for Healthcare Reform

South Korean Prime Minister Emphasizes Expansion of Medical School Admissions as Essential for Healthcare Reform

In a recent national meeting, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo highlighted the urgent need to increase medical school admissions as a crucial step in healthcare reform. He expressed that the public also recognizes the necessity of expanding medical school admissions and voiced their support for the government’s plans.

Prime Minister Han cited examples such as overcrowded emergency rooms and the scarcity of pediatricians to illustrate the detrimental effects of a shortage of medical personnel on the public. He emphasized that medical school admissions have remained stagnant for 27 years since 1998, underscoring the need for expansion.

The Prime Minister further revealed that he has engaged in 28 meetings with healthcare professionals to discuss improvements to the healthcare system. The government has incorporated extensive support measures for the healthcare sector into a comprehensive four-pillar medical policy package, taking into account various perspectives.

Prime Minister Han stressed that expanding medical school admissions is not an attempt to burden doctors but a necessary measure to rectify the healthcare system. He also expressed a sense of crisis, stating that without correcting the healthcare system, the future of South Korea is at stake, and no problems arising from the current system can be resolved without an increase in the number of doctors.

Highlighting that the public recognizes the expansion of medical school admissions as the starting point and essential task of healthcare reform, Prime Minister Han assured that the government will pursue this initiative with a focus on the well-being and lives of the people. He also pledged strict measures to combat any illegal activities that threaten the health and lives of the citizens.

Plans to Increase Medical School Admissions

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced plans to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 students starting from the 2025 academic year, aiming to add a total of 10,000 doctors by 2035. This expansion is deemed crucial, considering the current low ratio of 2.6 clinical doctors per 1,000 people in South Korea.

Source: Kyunghyang Shinmun