The government plans to operate a dedicated team for mothers and newborns at the central emergency situation room again during this six-day long holiday and to quickly transport and transfer patients through regional hotlines in case of emergencies. Collaboration in the treatment of major emergency diseases, including high-risk mothers and newborns and cardiovascular diseases, will also be strengthened.
Minister Cho Kyoo-hong noted during a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' medical group action on the morning of the 1st at the Government Seoul Building in Jongno, Seoul, that the system of on-call duty for major diseases will be strengthened during this Family Month holiday, and support for severe and emergency medical care will continue, including increased consultation fees for emergency room specialists and additional fees for severe and emergency surgeries.
Initially, the six target diseases currently under a 365-day rotation on-call system, including aortic dissection (a disease that involves the tearing of blood vessels) and high-risk mothers, will be expanded to seven by adding pediatric urology emergency diseases.
Collaboration networks for the treatment of major emergency diseases, including high-risk mothers and newborns and cardiovascular diseases, will also be strengthened.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare selected 12 collaborative systems in 9 regions last week for the 'mother and child medical treatment cooperation pilot project' that responds to emergencies involving mothers and newborns 24 hours a day. This treatment cooperation system was originally scheduled to operate this month, but is being implemented early since the 28th of last month considering this long holiday.
The 10 'local cardiovascular centers' designated in February of this year will also start full operations. In case of emergencies, the plan is to ensure immediate referral through the treatment cooperation network.
During this holiday period, Minister Cho stated that he would maintain the emergency response system for local governments and central emergency medical centers, monitor disaster situations, and deploy the disaster medical assistance team (DMAT), adding that he would ensure that severely injured patients receive treatment without exception by checking the on-call system and hotline of the 17 regional trauma centers nationwide.
On that day, Minister Cho reaffirmed his commitment to medical reform. He emphasized that while it is practically difficult to announce new policies through the medical reform special committee at this time, tasks reflected in the budget and confirmed through the health insurance policy deliberative committee will be implemented without delay. Minister Cho particularly requested the participation and input of trainees regarding policies, including improvements in training environments.