International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
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Chapter 4
North Korea's public health pays the price of isolation

 

 

 

DPRK health workers prepare traditional ‘Koryo’ medicines. Derived from roots, they comprise 70 per cent of drugs used in some hospitals – essential. Western drugs are in very short supply. Tuberculosis and malaria, previously under control, are making a comeback.

Photo: Omar Valdimarsson/
International Federation, DPR Korea 2000

 

North Korea's public health Public health in DPRK is crumbling because of political and economic isolation. While reports of famine during 1994-95 made headlines, lack of investment in public health plus increases in TB and malaria threatens the lives of thousands. While a number of aid agencies have pulled out of DPRK, this chapter argues that continuing humanitarian assistance is both effective and vital.

 
Box4.3 'Outing and shouting': NGO departures underscore problems

Box 4.4 Chronology of key events, 1950-2000