Health ministry sends experts as welfare consultation demand doubles

The health ministry said it received 96 requests from local governments for second-half welfare-program consultations, against 41 in the first half, citing increased demand for new and revised programs after local elections.

"The more than doubling of applications from the first half reflects efforts to address local governments' operational difficulties early," Im Hye-seong, head of the Social Security Committee Secretariat, said. "In the second half, experts familiar with local conditions will visit sites and actively support local governments in planning welfare programs more systematically."

The ministry formed four regional networks comprising 27 specialists. Consultations will run from Aug. 11 through Aug. 28, beginning in Ulju County, Ulsan, with phone and remote consultations also offered.

Medical and health initiatives made up 21 requests. Childbirth, care and child-care programs and youth and housing plans drew 14 each, while older-adult support and social allowance programs each received more than 10 requests.

After reviewing the 96 requests, the ministry said 24 were outside the formal consultation process and could be implemented immediately. It directed 14 plans that met standard models to a fast-track procedure with processing within 30 days. Regional experts will conduct preconsultations for the 53 initiatives needing detailed review, examining eligibility criteria, benefit levels and performance indicators with local governments.