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North Korea International Health Insurance / Healthcare System
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 The Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea is more commonly known as North Korea
and lies between the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and China.
The divided Korean peninsula fought in a war in beginning in 1950.
Although an armistice in 1953 ended large scale fighting, North
and South Korea are still technically at war. Also known as “The
Hermit Kingdom”, North Korea has remained largely cut off from the
outside world, and is largely dependent on foreign aid,
particularly from China. Its ill-managed centrally planned economy
is believed to have retarded economic growth, culminating in a
famine that affected much of the country in the 1990s. Although its
traditional culture is largely similar to that of South Korea,
there are some distinctive North Korean aspects which have emerged
since the division of the peninsula. Perhaps most notable are the
famous Mass Games, in which over 100,000 performers put on a
display of dance and choreography.
Reliable health statistics from North Korea are difficult to
attain and the World Health Organisation’s own figures are very
limited. Reported life expectancy at birth for North Koreans is
lower than the Asian regional average at 67 years for males and 72
years for females, though there is strong evidence that these
figures are higher than actual life expectancy. Communicable
disease is also a problem in North Korea. Official HIV rates are
not reported and estimates vary widely. Tuberculosis is prevalent
above the regional average, with 270 cases per 100,000 people.
North Korea provides free universal health care to the entire
population of 23 million, thus figures for antenatal, birth and
infant health care far exceed regional norms. The country’s
professional health care workforce is far ahead of the Asian
average. There are 32.9 doctors and 41.2 nurses and midwives per
100,000 population, which is four to six times the regional norm.
Health care infrastructure is well-established, and the health
care workforce boasts over 300,000 members. Regarding health care
research, North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, is also host to the
WHO Collaborating Centre for Development of Primary Health Care at
District Level, which is located at the Institute of Public Health
Administration.
Public health investment is a priority for the cash-strapped
state, therefore there is universal access to improved drinking
water sources across the country. However, improved sanitation
facilities are only available to about two thirds of the
population; few of these facilities would meet modern standards.
Most of North Korea’s health issues are related to maladies
associated with poverty. However, its most recent serious health
crisis, as reported by the WHO’s Global Alert and Response (GAR)
team came from the 2005 avian influenza outbreak. High rates of
smoking have also contributed to the non-communicable disease
burden, including cancer and various cardiovascular health
problems.
To address these various health care concerns, the WHO has drafted
a Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) brief, with a roadmap for
action from 2009 – 13. The WHO has pledged to provide
“evidence-based policy advice; technical support; monitoring and
evaluation; capacity building for resource mobilisation; and
funding.” Major problems in the distribution of health care in
North Korea are attributed to frequent power outages, unreliable
and limited supply of pharmaceuticals, and misallocation of skills
training.
Due to its unusual political situation, aid flows to North Korea
have been limited in comparison with its poor Asian neighbours.
But cooperation with NGOs has steadily increased in the last
decade. Bearing this in mind, the WHO has outlined five strategic
priorities for improving health care in North Korea: develop
capacity for policy development and improve services delivery;
address women’s and children’s health; address communicable
diseases; address risk factors for non-communicable diseases; and
mitigate the health consequences of natural disasters.
Although travel to North Korea is highly restricted, especially
for citizens of Western countries, guided tours of the Hermit
Kingdom have become increasingly popular in recent years. Many of
these trips are timed to correspond with the above mentioned Mass
Games. The US Centres for Disease Control (CDC) have issued a
series of health care guidelines to inform prospective travellers
to North Korea. According to the CDC, travellers should visit a
physician or clinic specialising in travel medicine four to six
weeks before making a trip, to ensure that vaccinations are up to
date. Routine immunisations, typhoid and hepatitis shots may need
boosters. Jabs against Japanese encephalitis and rabies may be
prescribed under certain conditions.
Some of the southern provinces of North Korea are also prone to
outbreaks of malaria. It is strongly suggested to bring your own
anti-malarial drugs as local supply will be limited. Primaquine is
the most effective antimalarial in North Korea, although
Atovaquone, proguanil, doxycycline and mefloquine may also be
prescribed. Long-sleeved clothing, insect repellent with DEET and
mosquito nets may also be used. Other insect-borne diseases such
as dengue, chikungunya and tickborne encephalitis are also common
to the region.
As the CDC has noted, food and water borne diseases are actually
the most common travellers’ health complaints. Washing hands with
soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer is recommended, as
is avoiding raw or undercooked foods and drinking only bottled
water.
Although North Korea does offer universal health coverage and a
well-staffed health care work force, provision of care is not up
to modern standards. With North Korea’s unusual political
situation, emergency air evacuation may be complicated. Hence,
planning for health care emergencies should begin before travel.
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North Korea International Health Insurance |
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Fortunately, if you are planning a trip to North Korea,
Globalsurance’s team of expert advisors can assist with your
travel health insurance needs. Available 24 hours per day,
Globalsurance advisors can provide comprehensive information on a
variety of international health insurance plans to suit individual travellers, families and tour
groups. Contact your local Globalsurance advisor today for further
information.
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