The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said Friday that it will close an additional 15 state-run medical facilities and privatize 17 others over the next five years.
The 32 medical facilities are among 45 national hospitals and sanitariums targeted for elimination under the second phase of a long-term Health Ministry plan to reorganize and refocus the state-run health-care system.
In a provisional report released Friday, the ministry said the government will formulate a plan on what to do with the remaining 13 state-run medical facilities by the March end of the current fiscal year.