[Young journalist Kim Jiyul] Discussions were held at the National Assembly to shed light on the medical reality experienced by type 1 diabetes patients and their families and to seek ways to improve the system. As patient groups and ruling and opposition lawmakers gathered together to emphasize the issue of access to medical treatment and the need for an education and management system, attention is focusing on whether to make policy in the future. 

The Korea Type 1 Diabetes Association held a screening and public talk with lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties at the National Assembly Hall on the 11th. The event was organized to draw up the tasks to improve the patient centered medical system and it was organized by the digital healthcare company called Soldak. 

The film which was screened on this day, drew sympathy from participants with the story of a family confronting the limitations of the medical system to save their son with type 1 diabetes. 

“As the pancreatic disorders are officially recognized from July, the voices of actual patients should be reflected first in policy”, said Kim MiYoung, the head of the Korea Type 1 Diabetes Association. “We hope that social interest in medical welfare, and the school issues will be increasing further. 

Politicians also voiced sympathy for the need to improve the system.  

“The inclusion of pancreatic disorders in the type of disability that has been maintained for 20 years is the effort of the parties and their families,” said Seo MiHwa, a lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea. 

Seo YoungSeok, a lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea, also expressed his willingness to support legislation, saying “Now the state must take care of blind spots in the public sphere”. 

“We will provide legislative support to improve patients' rights and interests.”

Regardless of ruling and opposition parties, the need for an educational environment and daily support has also been raised. Kang KyungSook, a lawmaker of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, urged improvements in the educational environment, citing administrative burdens suffered by children and their families at school sites. 

Lee SoHee, a member of the People’s Power, said he would “push forward with the issue of type 1 diabetes as a personal top priority.”

Choi BoYoon, a lawmaker of the People’s Power said, “The time that patients and their families have to handle outside the hospital is close to the essence of treatment,” stressing that the medical system should fully contain it. 

LeeJungHun, a lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea, said “We will do politics that saves people’’ that can wipe away the tears of patients who need to be supplied with insulin for the rest of their lives. 

ChoiHyukJin, an independent lawmaker, said,” The level of happiness in society as a whole increases only when the weak are happy”. 

In the talk session held after the movie’s screening, the establishment of a professional education and management system was presented as a key task. 

“Innovative devices such as continuous blood glucose meters(CGM) are changing patient’s lives, but there are insufficient conditions for medical staff to educate and manage them,” said LeeHoIk, CEO of Soldak. “If non face to face treatment based education and reimbursement rates are supported, patients will be able to plan their daily lives instead of fear of complications.”

ChungJinWook, a lawmaker of the democratic meeting of Korea, also stressed the need to improve the overall medical system, saying in a video message, “Medical technology has developed, but barriers to the treatment process remain. 

An official who hosted the event said “ I hope this screening will serve as an opportunity to recognize type 1 diabetes as a disease that society takes care of together, not as an individual struggle. 

▶원문 기사: 국회서 울린 1형당뇨 환자들의 호소…“비대면 관리·교육체계 시급”
 

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