Health minister vows guidelines on police searches at medical facilities will reflect doctors' views

The government has decided to draw up guidelines on investigation procedures in essential medical fields after police recently conducted a search and seizure at a pediatric emergency room while patients were being treated.

Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong made the announcement Wednesday at a National Assembly audit of the Health and Welfare Committee, responding to a remark by lawmaker Kim Yun that search-and-seizure operations at essential medical facilities should be carried out only when absolutely necessary and without disrupting patient care.

"I agree with the concern raised," Jeong said. "We held a working-level meeting with the Korean National Police Agency on Tuesday and have agreed to develop guidelines on investigations and search-and-seizure operations that reflect the medical community's perspective. We will move quickly to finalize them."

The Ministry of Health and Welfare said it convened the meeting with the police agency on Tuesday to discuss a search and seizure carried out Sept. 30 at a pediatric emergency medical center in Gyeonggi Province in connection with the death of a child who had been receiving treatment for cyanosis. Both sides agreed on the need to create an environment in which medical staff in essential fields can work without fear.

The two agencies also agreed to continue discussing investigation procedures for medical accidents in high-risk essential fields, taking into account the intent behind amendments to the Medical Dispute Mediation Act — which governs relief for medical accident victims and the mediation of medical disputes — and the Emergency Medical Services Act, both of which include provisions on criminal liability exemptions for medical personnel in essential fields.

Son Yeong-rae, director of the ministry's Regional Essential Public Medical Care Bureau, said a work environment free from unnecessary anxiety is essential for the long-term sustainability of essential medical services. "We will continue to coordinate with the Korean National Police Agency to that end," he said.