North Korea Hospitals: How Many Exist?
- Pyongyang has declared this year as the starting point for a new era of health revolution,raising questions about the state of its medical infrastructure and healthcare delivery.
- North Korea's healthcare system operates on several key principles, including free medical care, a "doctor's zone" system, a blend of Western and traditional Korean medicine, and a focus...
- The exact number of healthcare facilities in North Korea is not publicly known.
North Korea’s Healthcare System: A Look at Institutions and Progress
Table of Contents
- North Korea’s Healthcare System: A Look at Institutions and Progress
- Overview of North Korea’s Healthcare Model
- Healthcare Institutions: A Quantitative Analysis
- Hospital Bed Capacity: A Comparative Perspective
- Ancient Development of Healthcare Infrastructure
- Free Treatment System
- Classification of Healthcare Institutions
- Clinics and General Hospitals: Defining the Differences
- Notable Hospitals
- Specialized hospitals
- Regional Distribution of healthcare Facilities
- Industrial Healthcare
- Specialized Treatment Centers
- Referral System
- Defector Accounts
- North Korea’s Healthcare System: A Look at Institutions and Progress
- What are the key principles of North Korea’s healthcare system?
- How does the ”doctor’s zone” system work in North Korea?
- How many healthcare institutions are in North Korea?
- What types of healthcare institutions exist in North Korea?
- How has the number of healthcare facilities changed over time?
- What is the hospital bed capacity in North Korea?
- How does North Korea’s hospital bed capacity compare to other countries?
- When did North Korea start expanding its healthcare infrastructure?
- What improvements were made to healthcare facilities post-liberation?
- When was free treatment formally adopted in North Korea?
- What are the different types of healthcare institutions categorized by North Korea?
- What is the difference between clinics and general hospitals in North Korea?
- What are some prominent general hospitals in North Korea?
- Are there specialized hospitals in North Korea?
- How are healthcare facilities distributed regionally in North Korea?
- How are industrial areas serviced by healthcare?
- What specialized treatment centers exist in North korea?
- Does North Korea have a referral system?
- What do defectors say about the healthcare system?
- Key Takeaways on North Korea’s Healthcare System
Pyongyang has declared this year as the starting point for a new era of health revolution,raising questions about the state of its medical infrastructure and healthcare delivery.
Overview of North Korea’s Healthcare Model
North Korea’s healthcare system operates on several key principles, including free medical care, a “doctor’s zone” system, a blend of Western and traditional Korean medicine, and a focus on preventative measures. Though, details about the system’s functionality and resources remain limited.
Healthcare Institutions: A Quantitative Analysis
The exact number of healthcare facilities in North Korea is not publicly known. However, expansions and policy initiatives suggest ongoing efforts to develop the sector, including a recent push to construct advanced facilities in conjunction with local industries.
Data from the World Health Institution (WHO) indicated that North Korea had 8,988 healthcare institutions in 2014. These included:
- 6,263 clinics and general clinics
- 1,608 military and “Lee” hospitals
- 133 central and contractor hospitals
- 682 nursing homes
- 55 preventative stations
- 235 hygiene protector stations
- 12 blood banks
Figures from 2011 showed a slight increase from 8,946 facilities (excluding blood banks) three years prior, with notable growth in military hospitals (33) and hygiene institutions (7).
Hospital Bed Capacity: A Comparative Perspective
A 2019 report by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Seoul National University Medical University indicated that North Korea’s hospital bed capacity averaged 132 beds per 10,000 people between 2002 and 2012. This figure remained static throughout the period.
By comparison, South Korea increased its capacity from 66 to 103 beds per 10,000 people during the same timeframe, while Japan saw a slight decrease from 143.9 to 134. the completion of Pyongyang General Hospital in February of this year may signal a potential increase in North korea’s bed capacity.
Ancient Development of Healthcare Infrastructure
North Korea has focused on expanding its healthcare infrastructure sence its liberation in 1945. Kim Il-sung stated in 1947 that medical institutions and facilities would be increased, with the number of hospitals and infectious disease hospitals rising to 196 and the number of beds increasing 1.6 times compared to 1946.
North Korean sources claim that in the two and a half years following liberation, the number of national hospitals increased 7.7 times, the number of beds 7.6 times, and diagnosis and treatment centers 14 times. By 1947, ther were reportedly 47 hospitals and 294 clinics, with an increase of 1,600 inpatient beds.
Kim Il-sung further emphasized the need to expand hospital bed capacity in 1961 and to strengthen maternal and infant care by increasing the number of maternity and pediatric facilities.He also called for improved medical services for rural residents, aiming to establish a clinic in every ”mediation” (likely referring to a local administrative unit).
Free Treatment System
In February 1960, North Korea formally adopted a “complete and overall free treatment” system, building upon existing quantitative free treatment measures. This was formalized at the second session of the 7th Supreme People’s Assembly.
Classification of Healthcare Institutions
North Korea categorizes its healthcare institutions into several types:
- Treatment and prevention institutions (hospitals, clinics, nursing homes)
- Women and children’s protection institutions (maternity hospitals, pediatric hospitals, nurseries, children’s hospitals)
- Sanitary and epidemic prevention facilities
- Legal appraisal institutions
- Pharmaceutical institutions
Clinics and General Hospitals: Defining the Differences
North korea defines a clinic as a preventative agency offering outpatient treatment without inpatient facilities. Clinics provide initial medical assistance, family medical service, and referrals to higher-level hospitals.
General hospitals, in contrast, are defined as hospitals with multiple specialty departments and inpatient facilities. These hospitals typically include departments for internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, traditional Korean medicine, dentistry, and preventative medicine.
Notable Hospitals
Prominent general hospitals in North Korea include the Chosun Red Cross General Hospital, Pyongyang Medical University Hospital, Kim Man-yu Hospital, Korea Medical General Hospital, Okryu Children’s Hospital, and Ryu Kyung-an General Hospital.Each province, city, and military also has its own People’s Hospital or Citizen’s Hospital.
Industrial hospitals are also common, located in important industrial districts and businesses.
Specialized hospitals
Specialized hospitals focus on a single medical specialty.Examples include ophthalmology hospitals, endocrine specialty hospitals, tumor research institutes, and specialized facilities for specific diseases.
Regional Distribution of healthcare Facilities
North Korea has established standards for the distribution of healthcare facilities. Basic hospitals and People’s Hospitals are located in cities and provinces. Since 1973, as part of a nationwide treatment plan, each province has been divided into regions, with modern hospitals constructed in People’s Committee locations. One or more groups are tied to build one city and provincial hospital.
Each military district has at least one People’s Hospital,and each city has one or two (one of which may be an industrial hospital). People’s Hospitals or clinics are located in “Lee” and labor districts.
Industrial Healthcare
similar to the “doctor’s zone” system for residences, industrial areas also have dedicated healthcare facilities. A third-level company with a large factory has a People’s Hospital (industrial hospital), while smaller businesses have industrial clinics.
These industrial medical institutions may be closed to only employees or open to employees’ families and the general public.
Specialized Treatment Centers
specialized hospitals in the central region include facilities for nervous system disorders, rehabilitation, and tuberculosis. Each province also has tuberculosis hospitals, infectious disease hospitals, hepatitis hospitals, chronic disease hospitals, and mental hospitals. Military levels include hepatitis and tuberculosis nursing homes.
Military medical centers provide treatment for soldiers.
Referral System
Like South Korea, North Korea utilizes a referral system, where patients progress through different levels of medical institutions, from local clinics to city, county, and district hospitals, and ultimately to central hospitals. A referral document is required to be sent to a senior medical institution.
Defector Accounts
According to Dong-seon, a North Korean defector, clinics typically have a professional doctor, “Jun-eui” (Korean internship doctors), and nurses. patients requiring specialized equipment, emergency care, or long-term inpatient treatment are referred to city or provincial hospitals.
The defector stated that patients are evacuated to senior hospitals with a doctor’s request and an evacuation order from the hospital. They also noted a difference in inpatient care compared to South Korea, with seven doctors seeing a patient each week, followed by a weekly council to discuss the case.
North Korea’s Healthcare System: A Look at Institutions and Progress
What are the key principles of North Korea’s healthcare system?
North Korea’s healthcare system is built on several core principles. these include:
- Free medical care for all citizens.
- A “doctor’s zone” system, where individuals are assigned to a primary care physician.
- A blend of western and conventional Korean medicine.
- A strong focus on preventative measures.
How does the ”doctor’s zone” system work in North Korea?
Although specifically how the “doctor’s zone” system functions is not detailed in the provided text, it is mentioned that this is a standard element. Essentially, the system would likely assign residents to a specific doctor who is responsible for their primary care and health management.
How many healthcare institutions are in North Korea?
The exact number of healthcare facilities isn’t publicly known, but data from 2014 indicated approximately 8,988 institutions. However, these figures may not reflect current numbers.
What types of healthcare institutions exist in North Korea?
North Korea has a diverse range of healthcare facilities, including:
- Clinics and general clinics
- Military hospitals
- Central and contractor hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Preventative stations
- Hygiene protector stations
- Blood banks
How has the number of healthcare facilities changed over time?
Data from 2011 showed a slight increase from 8,946 facilities three years prior, excluding blood banks. There was growth in military hospitals and hygiene institutions.
What is the hospital bed capacity in North Korea?
between 2002 and 2012, North Korea’s hospital bed capacity averaged 132 beds per 10,000 people, according to a 2019 report.This figure remained static during that period.
How does North Korea’s hospital bed capacity compare to other countries?
During the same period (2002-2012), South Korea increased its capacity from 66 to 103 beds per 10,000 people, while Japan saw a slight decrease from 143.9 to 134.
When did North Korea start expanding its healthcare infrastructure?
North Korea has focused on expanding its healthcare infrastructure since its liberation in 1945. Kim Il-sung emphasized the need to increase medical facilities shortly after its inception.
What improvements were made to healthcare facilities post-liberation?
After liberation an increase in facilities and personnel occurred. In the two and a half years following liberation, the number of national hospitals increased 7.7 times, the number of beds 7.6 times, and diagnosis and treatment centers 14 times.
When was free treatment formally adopted in North Korea?
In February 1960, North Korea formally adopted a “complete and overall free treatment” system.
What are the different types of healthcare institutions categorized by North Korea?
North Korea categorizes its healthcare institutions into several types, including:
- Treatment and prevention institutions (hospitals, clinics, nursing homes)
- Women and children’s protection institutions (maternity hospitals, pediatric hospitals, nurseries, children’s hospitals)
- Sanitary and epidemic prevention facilities
- Legal appraisal institutions
- Pharmaceutical institutions
What is the difference between clinics and general hospitals in North Korea?
Clinics are preventative agencies offering outpatient treatment without inpatient facilities, providing initial medical assistance and referrals. General hospitals, in contrast, have multiple specialty departments and inpatient facilities.
What are some prominent general hospitals in North Korea?
Notable hospitals include the Chosun Red Cross General Hospital,Pyongyang Medical University Hospital,Kim Man-yu Hospital,Korea Medical General Hospital,Okryu Children’s Hospital,and Ryu Kyung-an General Hospital. Each province, city, and military is also serviced by hospitals.
Are there specialized hospitals in North Korea?
Yes, North Korea has specialized hospitals focusing on a single medical specialty. Examples include ophthalmology hospitals, endocrine specialty hospitals, and facilities for specific diseases. There are also tuberculosis and other disease hospitals.
How are healthcare facilities distributed regionally in North Korea?
Basic hospitals and People’s Hospitals are located in cities and provinces. Since 1973, each province has been divided into regions, with modern hospitals constructed in People’s Committee locations. Industrial areas also have dedicated healthcare facilities.
How are industrial areas serviced by healthcare?
Industrial areas mirror the “doctor’s zone” system. Large factories have People’s hospitals (industrial hospitals),while smaller businesses have industrial clinics. These may be open only to employees or to the public.
What specialized treatment centers exist in North korea?
Specialized hospitals in the central region include facilities for nervous system disorders,rehabilitation,and tuberculosis. Each province also has tuberculosis hospitals, infectious disease hospitals, hepatitis hospitals, chronic disease hospitals, and mental hospitals.Military levels include hepatitis and tuberculosis nursing homes.
Does North Korea have a referral system?
Yes, North Korea utilizes a referral system where patients progress through local clinics to city, county, and district hospitals, and ultimately to central hospitals. A referral document is required for referral to a senior medical institution.
What do defectors say about the healthcare system?
Defectors detail clinics typically having professional doctors, Korean internship doctors, and nurses. Those needing specialist or long-term care are referred to city/provincial hospitals.Inpatient care differed from the south, with multiple doctors overseeing a patient’s care weekly.
Key Takeaways on North Korea’s Healthcare System
Here are some critically important points to remember about the North Korean healthcare system:
- Free Healthcare: The system emphasizes free medical care for all citizens.
- Infrastructure: There’s a wide range of facilities, from clinics and hospitals to nursing homes.
- Referral System: A referral system guides patients through different levels of care.
- Expansion Efforts: Improvements have been made as 1945, with expansions on ongoing facilities.
- Bed Capacity: Hospital bed capacity appears lower than that of neighboring countries.