Venezuelan Visitor Praises North Korean Health System

Text of report in English by state-run North Korean news agency KCNA

Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) – Susana Maristany, head of the Venezuelan delegation for the study of the juche [juche] idea, said that through the visit to the DPRK she has got to know well how advantageous the socialist system centred on the popular masses is, adding that the DPRK socialist health system embodying the juche [juche] idea is best.

Noting that the DPRK spares nothing for the women and children, she said giving her impressions of the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital: The state provided this grandiose hospital for the women and children.

In the DPRK where the popular health policy is being enforced, the state takes care of the women in childbed and their babies with responsibility for their health.

Many women have been given treatment at the hospital equipped with modern medical service facilities without paying even a penny.

It is unthinkable in other countries that the state provides the women with everything needed for the promotion of their health.

I envy the Korean women good fortune of leading a wortHwhile life under the leadership of Kim Jong Il [Kim Cho'ng-il].

Originally published by KCNA, Pyongyang, in English 0347 9 May 08.

(c) 2008 BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.