During the COVID-19 pandemic, the public experienced non-face-to-face medical treatment, leading to increased demand for public health and medical services utilizing digital technology. South Korea is also currently promoting non-face-to-face medical treatment through pilot projects.
Lee Byung-kwan, Director General of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute’s Bio Health Innovation Planning Division, cited 'digital transformation' as the most significant change in the healthcare sector during the last five years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in a recent interview. He noted, 'Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, blockchain, and robotics have been utilized in the bio health industry, blurring the boundaries between health, medical care, patients, and healthy individuals. The medical paradigm has shifted to ensure that all citizens can access services necessary for maintaining a healthy and happy life anytime and anywhere.' This marks the beginning of what is termed the 'healthcare 4.0 era.'
What changes have occurred in public health, medical care, and healthcare services before and after the COVID-19 pandemic?
'The scope of medical services has expanded from treatment targeted at patients to health management for the public. With a shift from treatment-centered to preventive management, personalized health management utilizing personal health data has become essential. Consequently, the atmosphere has changed from passive treatment centered around medical professionals to active participation by patients in managing their health. There are increasing numbers of patients learning about their health and conditions and actively collecting and managing healthcare technology and data. In the future, as big data collection, exchange, and utilization become possible, the range of medical services will significantly expand to home care.'
What is the reason for the expanded scope of medical services?
'Thanks to the integration of technologies such as AI, IoT, big data, blockchain, robotics, and mobile applications with the bio health industry. In the past five years, South Korea has seen an improvement in the digital literacy skills of the elderly. As a result, there is a significant potential for growth in personalized medical services and digital healthcare services utilizing genomic information, IoT wearable technology, and biometric signal information in the future.'
What specific changes have IT technologies brought to the bio health industry?
'South Korea is an IT powerhouse. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the bio health industry has emerged as a new growth engine to drive the South Korean economy. In particular, the advancement of data-driven digital healthcare will achieve disease overcoming and personalized precision medicine. Furthermore, it will realize the future of healthcare that encompasses medical care, health management, and support services.'
The necessity for innovative research and development has also been highlighted to overcome social challenges such as cancer and infectious diseases. South Korea has been conducting various support projects for fostering digital healthcare both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Personalized precision medical services utilizing genomic information, IoT wearable technology, and biometric signal information, as well as various digital healthcare products and services for managing chronic diseases, are also rapidly growing.
Through the 'National Integrated Bio Big Data Construction' project, South Korea is on the verge of entering the ranks of the world's top three countries with one million bio big data. There will be significant advancements in fields such as personalized genetic analysis and diagnostics, clinical decision support systems (CDSS), targeted drugs, technological advancements, and new markets created in AI-based prediction and diagnostic treatment industries.
The 'My Healthway System' project, known as the health information highway, is also underway. The integration of personal integrated information and national bio big data is expected to create new markets such as new drug development and precision medicine. Additionally, through the 'Smart Care (Nursing and Medical Care) Pilot Project for the Elderly,' smart care service models applying digital technology (IoT and AI) tailored to the characteristics of elderly residents in welfare facilities like nursing homes could be activated.
Has there been a rapid development and commercialization of new vaccine platforms to end the COVID-19 pandemic? Have there been changes in vaccine platform research and development?
'Indeed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pfizer and Moderna developed and commercialized messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines to prevent COVID-19 infection and inhibit severe progression. The value of this technology was recognized when its developer received the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, resulting in a significant surge in the value of mRNA technology. Consequently, countries around the world are competitively conducting research and development on mRNA vaccine technology. There is a strong sense of crisis that the risk of another pandemic like COVID-19 is high, leading to efforts to secure mRNA vaccine technology. mRNA vaccines can respond quickly to novel viruses compared to other vaccine platforms and may even be used to prevent and treat intractable diseases such as cancer.
Korean corporations are also developing mRNA vaccine technology, but they are still at the clinical phase 1 stage for COVID-19 vaccines.
Recently, the South Korean government has been accelerating mRNA vaccine technology development as well. By April 2024, it has prepared a 'Plan for Securing mRNA Vaccine Sovereignty for Future Pandemic Preparedness,' and in August of the same year, it confirmed the exemption of preliminary feasibility studies for the 'Support Project for mRNA Vaccine Development for Pandemic Preparedness.' Currently, the goal is to complete the rapid development platform for mRNA vaccines, aiming to promote ultra-fast vaccine development within 200 days in case another pandemic occurs in the future. The government plans to support corporations that are likely to successfully develop and commercialize such vaccines and anticipates the development of advanced high-value-added products such as cancer treatments in the long term.
Is it expected that digital technology will be actively introduced to domestic healthcare?
'Countries around the world have urgently recognized the need to establish strategies and systems to protect citizens from the threats posed by new infectious diseases as they experienced the COVID-19 pandemic.'
In January 2021, the United States established a 'National Strategy for COVID-19 and Pandemic Response,' focusing on rebuilding public trust, establishing effective vaccination plans, and presenting detailed policies for executing seven major goals, including strengthening public health standards. Afterward, strategies were developed to effectively address high-risk public health threats through the announcement of the 'Infectious Disease Preparedness Plan' and 'Data Innovation Promotion Plan.' The European Union (EU) established the 'Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA)' to act as a control tower for policies and systems.
Based on experiences from the past five years, South Korea has developed a 'Mid to Long-Term Plan for Preparedness against New Infectious Disease Pandemics.' This includes enhancing the effectiveness of infectious disease management measures in response to the COVID-19 prevention field and revising laws such as the 'Act on the Prevention and Management of Infectious Diseases' to reinforce the legal grounds necessary for strengthening the initial response system. The South Korean health care system has not only experienced non-face-to-face healthcare services in a non-contact environment but has also highlighted the need to strengthen public health medical care during public health crises.
Is it expected that digital technologies will be actively adopted in domestic healthcare?
'In October 2023, the government presented the 'Essential Medical Innovation Strategy,' stating its vision to incorporate digital technologies into key areas such as intensive care and emergency medical services. For instance, remote diagnosis, AI-based diagnostic systems, electronic health records (EHR), and mobile health applications could drastically change the way medical services are provided and help bridge gaps in areas lacking medical infrastructure.'
To reap the fruits of government policies and research and development support, it is essential to establish specialized laws and regulations in the bio health sector, along with regulatory innovation. Sufficient discussions and agreements among various stakeholders will also be necessary. Starting in December 2023, the inter-agency public-private partnership 'Bio Health Innovation Committee' will serve as the control tower for the bio health sector in South Korea.