When establishing a branch of a large hospital, prior approval from the Ministry of Health and Welfare is required.

The National Assembly passed an amendment requiring large general hospitals with more than 300 beds to obtain approval from the Minister of Health and Welfare when establishing branches.

The revised medical law stipulates that when opening a medical institution above the hospital level, it is subject to prior deliberation by the metropolitan and provincial medical institution opening committee.

In addition, if a general hospital with more than 100 beds is opened or a general hospital with more than 300 beds opens an additional hospital-level medical institution, it will be approved by the Minister of Health and Welfare.

The medical law removed the regulation that prohibits medical personnel from informing pregnant women and others of fetal gender before 32 weeks of pregnancy.

The amendment passed by the plenary session today will be implemented after a resolution by the State Council.