Health · Healthcare & Policy · 3 hrs ago
Gyeongsangbuk-do considers changes to rural clinics as doctors decline
Gyeongsangbuk-do is considering changes to rural healthcare as the number of public health doctors declines.
The South Korean province discussed the issue at a public health workshop in Andong on October 30.
An official said an ageing population and fewer doctors are putting pressure on the existing network of health centres and clinics.
In places without public health doctors, integrated clinics could let dedicated health officials provide basic care.
The province is also looking to establish remote consultations between doctors and health officials using information and communications technology.
Gyeongsangbuk-do already runs 39 integrated clinics among its 210 health branch offices, and it will review local public care hub models and pilot operations in line with the government’s planned reforms.
Gyeongsangbuk-do discussed ways to address gaps in rural healthcare caused by a decline in public health doctors.
The province held a workshop in Andong on Oct. 30 focused on strengthening primary healthcare.
Proposals included integrated health branches and remote consultations between doctors and health officials.
The province operates 39 integrated health branches out of 210 health branches.
It plans to consider public treatment hub models suited to local medical conditions.
- Who
- Gyeongsangbuk-do officials and health officials discussed the changes.
- What
- They considered reorganising rural primary healthcare to address gaps caused by fewer public health doctors.
- When
- Oct. 30, 2026.
- Where
- A workshop at the Andong Stanford Hotel, in Andong, South Korea.
- Why
- An ageing population and a decline in public health doctors have put the existing rural healthcare system under strain.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gyeongsangbuk-do held a workshop in Andong to discuss responses to rural healthcare gaps caused by the decline in public health doctors.
The province said it would consider introducing and piloting public treatment hub models suited to local medical conditions.
- Integrated health branches
- 39 of the province’s 210 health branches (18.6%)
- Workshop
- 2026 Primary Healthcare Activation Strategy Workshop
- Short-term proposal
- Integrated health branches where health officials provide basic care in areas without public health doctors
- Short-term proposal
- Remote consultations linking doctors and health officials using information and communications technology
- Long-term proposal
- Public treatment hubs coordinating outpatient, visiting and mobile care
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What people are saying
The decline in public health doctors is not simply a shortage of medical personnel; it calls for changes to the rural primary healthcare system.
The existing system centered on public health centers, health branches and health clinics is facing limits due to population ageing and a decline in public health doctors.