South Aids Support NK with Medical Supplies

``Even after the re-unification, we will support the North Korean children with necessary medical supplies. We have organized the foundation to continue this project.``

Dr. Shim Jae-shik (head doctor of the gynecology service, Veteran`s Hospital) of the newly established corporation, the Medical Aids Center for North Korean Children, said that ``the nutritive condition of the North Korean children is said just escaped from the worst situation. However, the most children still suffer from the lack of the medical supplies. We will stabilize the stumbled medical aids after the foreign exchange crisis and continue the medical aids project.``

The Center was established in the matrix of the Medical Aids Center to Support North Korean Children founded in June 1997, by the coalition of the Humanitarian Doctors` Association, the Korea Dentists` Association for Healthy Society, the Korea Pharmacists` Association for Healthy Society, the Herb Doctors` Association for Sincere Medical Service, and the National Medical Industry Union.

With the funds raised amounting one billion won from the medical professionals and the civilians, the Center has supported the North with the nutrient substances, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory.

``As a private organization, we had difficulties with our activities. For example, we could not use the automatic transfer through bank accounts when we received donations. We will expand our activities based on our new legal foundation.``

The Center promised the Pyongyang Children`s Nutrition Institute to support the medical supplies as amount of 450 million won, including the manufacturing facility of pills and capsule medicines (150 mil.), raw medicines (200 mil.) and other medical kits (100 mil.).

Sung Ha-Woon hawoon@donga.com