Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Thursday that the government "will do its best to ensure raw materials such as naphtha are supplied with priority to produce medical essentials needed to protect the lives and health of the people."
Kim made the remarks at a joint ministerial meeting on medical essentials held at Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Thursday afternoon.
The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to "closely monitor the overall production and distribution situation and implement government support without delay to prevent clinics and pharmacies from being unable to purchase medical essentials such as syringes." He also instructed them to "conduct stability assessments swiftly when alternative raw materials need to be used in medical device production." Additionally, he urged the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Financial Services Commission to "promptly provide emergency business stabilization funds and support programs for affected companies struggling with price increases in related products."
Kim also directed the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to ensure priority supply of raw materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene for syrup bottle manufacturers who have appealed about raw material depletion. He emphasized that the government "will maintain an emergency response posture prepared for all scenarios while closely monitoring difficulties in the field."
Meanwhile, following his visit to North Jeolla Province the previous day, the Prime Minister visited medical institutions in South Jeolla Province and Gwangju Thursday to inspect the pilot program for emergency patient transfer and treatment systems. At a meeting held at Chonnam National University Hospital, he pledged to "address tasks including easing the legal liability burden for emergency medical procedures and expanding the integrated doctor helicopter system to improve emergency medical infrastructure." He added, "Gwangju, North Jeolla, and South Jeolla, where the pilot program is being conducted, have been confirmed as regions with exemplary emergency patient transfer. This was based on mutual understanding and cooperation between local fire services and the medical community." He encouraged the region, saying, "I hope the Honam region becomes a leading area in improving the emergency system."
