Seoul, March 6
South Korea will push for measures to bolster medical safety and reduce medical accidents, including heavier compensation responsibility of the state, the health ministry said on Thursday.
The plan, unveiled at a parliamentary policy forum, also includes the introduction of a "no punishment against will" policy for deaths that occur during acts of essential medical care and the expansion of insurance coverage for medical accidents, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, news agency reported.
Under the plan, the ministry is considering allowing medical workers involved in death cases related to essential medical care to avoid criminal charges when the family of the deceased gives consent as part of efforts to lower the burden on medical staff.
It plans to newly establish a deliberation committee on medical accidents to determine medical malpractice in such cases within 150 days and shift the focus of the criminal prosecution system on such cases from the weight of damage to malpractice.
The plan also includes making it mandatory for medical institutions to buy insurance against medical accidents, while part of the insurance fees will be supported by the government.
Additionally, the government will review expanding state subsidies for various medical services, such as emergency medical treatment and intensive care for infants.