North Korea has announced that Pyongyang General Hospital has been completed after more than five years of construction. It plans to open its doors this October.
On Friday, the state-run newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that a world-class medical facility was erected in Pyongyang, the capital. The hospital is said to embody the party’s vision for modernizing healthcare and showcase the principles of Juche architectural aesthetics.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un toured the newly completed hospital on Thursday, visiting various areas, including the emergency department, specialized treatment units, the main surgical suite, academic conference halls, service facilities, and a helipad.
Kim praised the hospital’s high construction standards, particularly its main surgical suite, which boasts 30 state-of-the-art operating rooms. He expressed satisfaction that the facility would provide top-tier medical care, calling it “another national treasure” dedicated to the people’s well-being.
Kim emphasized the importance of establishing the Pyongyang General Hospital as a model medical center, stating that it would be a foundation for improving the nation’s overall healthcare system. He also outlined plans to modernize new central hospitals and medical facilities being constructed in cities and counties across the country.
Kim highlighted the need to advance medical science and technology to global standards and urged doctors and nurses to be thoroughly prepared to approach their work with deep compassion and utmost dedication.
He instructed officials to finalize preparations for the hospital’s opening, including installing medical equipment and conducting comprehensive testing to ensure its effectiveness upon opening. The hospital is scheduled to open in October.
Construction of the Pyongyang General Hospital began in March 2020, shortly after the outbreak of COVID-19. While the building’s exterior has been completed, its opening has been delayed due to challenges in procuring and installing necessary medical equipment.