Kathmandu. In South Korea, high-risk doctors will be able to get a grant on negligence insurance.
According to a report in Korea Bizwire, the South Korean government is going to subsidize the insurance premium for doctors in the high-risk but essential medical sector. It aims to ease the legal pressure that fuels staffing shortages in critical care.
Under the new scheme, the South Korean government will fund 50% to 75% of liability insurance premiums for obstetricians, pediatric surgeons and other specialists facing high risk of litigation. Doctors in key sectors such as internal medicine, surgery and emergency care will also receive half of their premiums in subsidies.
South Korea’s Ministry of Health has allocated about $3.6 million for the initiative this year. It will provide up to $1,000 per doctor for policies covering negligence insurance claims. It will cover negligence insurance ranging from $2,10,000 to $700,000.
Hospitals that are already insured can apply for equal reimbursement. Officials said the plan aims to ease the financial burden of keeping many doctors away from childbirth and paediatrics. Where the rate of litigation and compensation claims is highest. Coverage levels vary widely and many clinics are uninsured or underinsured.
South Korea’s government hopes to finalize the involvement of insurance companies in the matter in the next few weeks. The scheme will be implemented in December.
Officials hope the plan will help hire and attract doctors to essential medical fields amid a growing shortage of maternal and child services.
