Government to Fully Back Community Doctors as the Cornerstone of Regional Healthcare

- National Assembly passes the Act on the Training and Support of Community Doctors -

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, Minister Jeong Eun Kyeong) announced that, on Tuesday, December 2, the National Assembly passed the Act on the Training and Support of Community Doctors, which provides a legal basis for introducing, operating, and supporting the community doctor system.

The community doctor system is designed to address regional disparities in the healthcare workforce and improve the quality of regional healthcare. It includes both service-obligated community doctors and contract-based community doctors.

   * Service-obligated: Medical school entrants selected through a community doctor track who receive tuition support and, after graduation, must fulfill a mandatory ten-year service commitment in a designated region.

   * Contract-based: Existing specialists who sign contracts with the government, local governments, or medical institutions to work in a designated region for a period of five to ten years.

Following three rounds of deliberations in the Health and Welfare Committee’s legislative subcommittee, a legislative public hearing, and consultations with the medical community, four bills previously submitted to the National Assembly were consolidated into a unified substitute bill, which was subsequently passed.

The MOHW plans to move swiftly to prepare the subordinate regulations necessary to implement the new system. In addition, with the enactment of this legislation, the ministry will actively pursue a wide range of support measures to create an environment in which healthcare professionals want to work in regional areas.

Support during the service period will include housing assistance, job-related training, career development opportunities, and measures to improve working conditions. To help community doctors develop their careers while remaining in their communities, the government will also expand opportunities for education and research, training at regional national university hospitals, and overseas fellowships. After fulfilling their service obligation, doctors will receive support to continue practicing in the region, including preferential hiring at local medical institutions and assistance with setting up a medical practice.

Minister Jeong Eun Kyeong stated, “Establishing the legal foundation for the community doctor system is a first step in strengthening regional, essential, and public healthcare,” adding, “The government will fully support community doctors so they can become the cornerstone of healthcare in their regions.”

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