Health Policy and Management (보건행정학회지)

Korean Academy of Health Policy and Management (한국보건행정학회)
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Challenges and Strategies for Unified Health System of South and North Korea

남북 건강보장공동체 형성을 위한 초기단계의 과제와 전략

  • Jeong, Hyoung-Sun (Department of Health Administration, Yonsei University College of Health Science) ;
  • Shin, Hyun Woung (Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs) ;
  • Kim, So Yoon (Asian Institute for Bioethics and Health, Yonsei University)
  • 정형선 (연세대학교 보건과학대학 보건행정학과) ;
  • 신현웅 (한국보건사회연구원) ;
  • 김소윤 (연세대학교 의료법윤리학연구원)
  • Received : 2018.07.30
  • Accepted : 2018.08.19
  • Published : 2018.09.30
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Abstract

This paper aims to make a step-by-step strategy to formulate an unified health system by clarifying and overcoming challenges facing South and North Korea and to estimate costs needed for South Korea to assist North Korea to recover to normal health delivery system. We explored implications through literature review and estimated costs under the assumption that supportive activities be provided for 5 years in three ways: support for the development of health and medical care manpower; support for health and medical facilities; and support for the provision of both preventive and primary health care. Step-by-step strategy is formulated for a unified health system with the cost estimation resulting as follows: in case of basic scenario, a total of 3 trillion and 341 billion won (at present value of the year 2017) is in need for the 5-year period at the initial 'recovery support stage' with 135.9 billion won for the development of health and medical care manpower, approximately 2 trillion won for health and medical facilities, and 1.2 trillion won for the provision of both preventive and primary health care. Step-by-step approach is more realistic and applicable in formulating unified health system. Suggested stages are 'recovery support stage,' 'system homogenization stage,' and 'unified system stage.' Strategies at 'recovery support stage' suggested in this paper need to be pursued and followed by those at 'system homogenization stage' and 'unified system stage.'

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References

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