The budget plan of the Ministry of Health and Welfare for next year has been set at 137.648 trillion won, a 9.7% increase from this year. Of this, 18.9868 trillion won will be allocated to the health sector, a 3.7% increase from this year. More than 1 trillion won will also be included for biohealth research and development.
According to the budget plan approved in the Cabinet meeting on the morning of the 29th, the most notable aspect in the health sector is local, essential, and public healthcare. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has earmarked 810.8 billion won for local, essential, and public healthcare.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare will expand the pilot project for essential local doctors. This involves providing local work allowances and various support to ensure that essential medical doctors work in the regions. This system has been introduced in a pilot phase in four locations: Gangwon, Gyeongnam, Jeonnam, and Jeju since last month.
Essential medical care is highly intensive and often avoided, with existing doctors largely concentrated in metropolitan areas. The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to create conditions for essential medical doctors to settle stably in local areas. Support for hiring senior doctors will also be provided. Senior doctors are specialists aged 60 and over who will provide care in local health centers and medical institutions.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has stated that it will enhance emergency medical services to ensure patients receive timely treatment. The Moonlight Children's Hospital, which treats pediatric emergency patients on weekday nights and holidays, will expand from 93 to 120 locations next year. A loan program worth 100 billion won will also be established for emergency medical institutions. The personnel of the regional emergency situation room will be expanded, and support for cardiovascular diseases and maternal and child healthcare will be strengthened.
It has been decided to evaluate training hospitals to provide quality training for resident doctors and offer incentives. Support for treatment costs for suicide attempts and drug addicts will be expanded, and artificial intelligence (AI) will be actively utilized in welfare and caregiving fields. Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong noted, "The health budget plan was prepared with an emphasis on protecting national health."