A health center in Naecheon-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, shuttered its doors last October due to challenges in assigning public health doctors. Such closures are rising nationwide as the number of these essential medical professionals dwindles.
Record Low Assignments This Year
Recent data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare reveals that only 98 new medical public health doctors received assignments this year. This marks roughly 40% of last year’s figure of 250 and just one-fifth of the 449 assigned in 2023 before heightened medical disputes.
Public health doctors serve as alternative military service providers in medically underserved areas, such as health centers lacking private hospitals. However, major incidents involving Jeju births and Yeoseong medical students have reduced enlistment pools, accelerating the decline.
Training Disruptions and Preferences Impact Supply
Over the past 18 months of medical conflicts, aspiring doctors nationwide delayed enlistment after failing to complete required training. Many prefer shorter army service—about half the 37-month public health commitment—with basic training lasting just 18 months.
Military doctors face similar shortages, with 310 new recruits this year falling short of last year’s 630. Officials project this scarcity will persist until at least 2031.
Regional Responses to Shortages
Among 532 health subcenters without private physicians, 139 in remote island and border areas will prioritize public health doctors. Another 42 will transition to nurse-led community health posts.
In 151 subcenters, public servants with nursing licenses, alongside dental and Korean medicine public health doctors, will handle care. Meanwhile, 200 others will rely on periodic visits from doctors stationed at nearby centers.
Expanding Access Through Telemedicine and Home Delivery
To bridge care gaps, authorities encourage rural doctors to offer remote consultations and extend home medication delivery beyond current limits in islands and vulnerable zones. Efforts also include shortening public health service periods to attract more recruits.
These measures aim to stabilize rural healthcare amid ongoing personnel challenges.
