A/75/388 2018.6 The rate of tuberculosis was one of the highest in the world before COVID-19, which indicates that a majority of the population are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. At the end of January 2020, the State Emergency Anti-epidemic Headquarters was activated to coordinate the response. The World Health Organization continues to engage with the Ministry of Public Health on preparedness and response measures. In an important decision, in April, the Supreme People’s Assembly approved a 7.4 per cent increase in the health budget in 2020, while the defence budget did not increase. 7 The Government reportedly gave instructions to health facilities at the regional level to follow preventative measures when the outbreak of COVID-19 started in the world in early 2020. Reportedly, 235 mobile teams composed of an epidemiologist, a doctor, a nurse and an official of the Department of Livestock of the Ministry of Agriculture have been formed to investigate cases of COVID-19. 12. While the scale of the pandemic within the country is still unknown, the limited capacity of the health facilities is a concern. In recent years, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has emphasized the modernization of its health systems, the advancement of medical technology, domestic production of drugs and capacity building of health workers. On 17 March 2020, Chairman Kim Jung Un inaugu rated the construction of Pyongyang General Hospital, to be completed within seven months, by 10 October 2020. Although the country has an extensive network of local clinics and hospitals in the provinces, many of those facilities are not up -to-date. Health facilities also lack adequate water, reliable electricity and basic medical supplies and equipment. Approximately 9 million people have only limited access to quality health services in the country. 8 Despite the guarantee of free medical care for all its citizens prescribed in articles 56 and 72 of the Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and relevant laws, people still have to give money or food in exchange for treatment and medicine. Those who do not have the means to pay a doctor resort to self-medication with medicine bought in pharmacies or the informal market. In some places, the price of medicines has reportedly increased dramatically since the border shutdown. B. Impact on access to information and communication 13. In late January 2020, the State media began to broadcast extensive public health information campaigns, focusing on the Government’s efforts concerning disinfection and preventive measures. In February, the Korean Red Cross mobilized volunteers to provinces near the border with China to undertake health promotion campaigns and to assist with screening. The Government gave instructions through State media in April to refrain from drinking alcohol, not take medicine without a doctor’s approval, change face masks frequently and use local foods such as garlic, onions and honey to prevent infections and improve the immune system. 9 The Government reportedly distributed COVID-19 messages through mobile telephone messaging, and launched __________________ 6 7 8 9 6/21 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP) and WHO, The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2019. Safeguarding against economic slowdowns and downturns (Rome, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2019), p. 126. The health budget increased by 5.8 per cent in 2019. United Nations Development Programme, FAO, WHO, WFP, United Nations Populat ion Fund and UNICEF, “DPR Korea needs and priorities 2019”, March 2019, p. 7. See www.nknews.org/2020/04/in-covid-19-fight-north-koreans-told-to-avoid-alcohol-andunapproved-medicines/?t=1586308291537. 20-13513