The government will designate eight "disability-friendly hospitals" by 2030. People with disabilities will be able to make reservations, check in, and pay for multiple treatments at once at these hospitals. Until now, people with disabilities have found it hard to use hospitals because travel is difficult, the expense is burdensome, and communication is challenging.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 23rd announced the "first comprehensive plan for health and healthcare management for people with disabilities." The key points are fourfold: ▲ convenient access to medical care ▲ support for returning to the community after rehabilitation ▲ prevention of secondary disabilities and health management ▲ establishment of a policy foundation.
The government plans to designate at least one disability-friendly medical institution in each city and province. It will combine functions that had been split among obstetrics and gynecology, health checkup institutions, and base hospitals for people with developmental disabilities so that multiple treatments can be received more easily in one place. It will also operate a desk that handles reservations and payments all at once.
For people with severe disabilities who have difficulty moving, the government will increase the introduction of vehicles that can accommodate bed-type wheelchairs. It will also expand nursing and caregiving services and support for assistive devices.
The government also plans to revamp the health insurance compensation system for people with disabilities. It will improve evaluation standards for medical institutions and strengthen disability awareness education for medical staff.
After discharge, it will expand rehabilitation medical institutions and public children's rehabilitation hospitals so that people can receive rehabilitation treatment in their communities. It will also gradually widen the "integrated care for medical and long-term care for people with disabilities" program.
Alongside this, it will invigorate the primary care physician system for people with disabilities and diversify home-visit rehabilitation services. The number of institutions providing health checkups for people with disabilities will increase to 112 by 2030. If abnormalities are found during screenings, follow-up treatment and health education will be provided.
The government will review implementation each year and, after a midterm evaluation, reflect the results in future disability policies. First Vice Minister Lee Seu-ran of the Ministry of Health and Welfare said, "We will craft policies that people with disabilities can tangibly feel by reflecting on-the-ground opinions."