South Korea: The president of promises to improve assistance for those suffering from uncommon illnesses
South Korea: In a meeting with patients and their families on Wednesday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung pledged to increase government assistance to ensure that patients with rare illnesses may get the care they need without facing undue financial hardship.
As part of his outreach to the socially disadvantaged population, Lee spent Christmas Eve at the Heavy Ion Therapy Research Institute at Yonsei Cancer Center in western Seoul, which provides state-of-the-art cancer treatment, according to Yonhap News Agency.
“Ensuring treatment for patients suffering rare diseases is not something individuals can easily bear on their own,” he said.
Despite the government’s attempts to improve medical care for them, Lee recognized that patients with uncommon disorders sometimes get less attention and assistance due to their small numbers.
His words, “Every life is precious,” “People shouldn’t be isolated, disadvantaged, or left behind just because they are few. This is a challenging problem.
Lee acknowledged that certain policies have not yet been put into place or are still inadequate, despite the government having drafted plans to enhance treatment, diagnosis, and welfare assistance.
Alongside Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong, Lee promised to gather input from patients and their families in order to enhance services.
Due to regulatory obstacles, patients with uncommon illnesses often experience significant financial hardships and have trouble getting imported medications.
Lee Jae Myung, meanwhile, expressed regret to the victims of the poisonous humidifier disinfectants that were held responsible for thousands of deaths and illnesses, stating that the government will classify the incident as a “social disaster.”
Sales of these hazardous sterilizers were halted in 2011 after health regulators said they may result in lung illnesses. As of last month, 5,942 persons were officially recognized as victims, and a special legislation was passed in 2017 to provide compensation.
According to Lee’s Facebook post, “It was too late,” and he also “conveys condolences and consolation to the victims and their families.”
Then-President Moon Jae-in apologized to the victims in 2017, however Lee’s apology coincided with the government’s previous announcement of extensive efforts to help and compensate the victims.
For the first time last year, a court acknowledged the state’s obligation to provide compensation to victims of humidifier disinfectants or their grieving families.
After four pregnant women passed away in 2011 from lung illness for unspecified causes, the story attracted attention.
“It is hard to fathom how unjust and devastating it must have been to live in a reality where no one was held accountable,” Lee said.
“We will fundamentally review the entire system and management framework to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again,” Lee said, emphasizing the state’s duty to safeguard public safety and life.