J Korean Diabetes.  2011 Jun;12(2):65-68. 10.4093/jkd.2011.12.2.65.

Why Does the MOHW Consider Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus to be a Slight Illness?

• Park TS

• KMID: 2137322
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/jkd.2011.12.2.65

Abstract

Recently, the Ministry of Health & Welfare (MOHW) announced a policy that patients that are only slightly ill cannot go a general hospital or a tertiary facility without bearing some of the medicine expense themselves. The MOHW has established a committee to make decisions on what constitutes a slight illness, and the committee has defined 51 diseases as such. Unfortunately, all type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been included, with the exceptions of diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome. Why do MOHW administrators and committee members consider T2DM to be similar to the common cold as a slight illness? My intention is they don't know the fact that chronic disease, such as T2DM, not managed effectively without general hospitals. If they think so, they do not know the importance of the management and outcome of T2DM. I sincerely recommend that MOHW and committee members withdraw such an absurd policy and create an alternative policy.

MeSH Terms

Administrative Personnel
Chronic Disease
Committee Membership
Common Cold
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Hospitals, General
Humans
Intention
Ursidae

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Diabetes incidence rate forecast, 2010, OECD.

• 

  Fig. 2. Diabetes mortality rate change by national comparison. Adapted from Research Institute for Healthcare Policy Korean Medical Association [2].

Reference

1. Lim KJ, Choi JW, Choi EJ. Analysis of the OECD Health Data 2010. Seoul: Research Institute for Healthcare Policy, Korean Medical Association;2011.

2. Research Institute for Healthcare Policy Korean Medical Association. Research Institute for Healthcare Policy KMA: Analysis of OECD health data 2010. Seoul: 2011 [cited 2011 Jun 12]. Available from:. http://www.rihp.re.kr/research/sub_06_01_read.asp?idx=409&page=1&bbs_sec=420&strSearchWord=&strSearchString=.