October 12, 2024

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South Korean Doctors Anger With Increasing Students of Medical Schools

South Korean Doctors Anger With Increasing Students of Medical Schools



South Korean Doctors Anger With Increasing Students of Medical Schools

According to Korean media reports, Resident doctors, who oppose the government’s announcement to increase the enrollment quota for medical schools as a measure to address the shortage of doctors in regional areas, have started to leave the medical field.

Over half of the approximately 13,000 resident doctors nationwide, including those at five large hospitals in Seoul, have submitted resignation letters. It is expected that this trend among resident doctors will continue after the 21st, causing anxiety among patients about the confusion in medical care.

South Korean Doctors Anger With Increasing Students of Medical Schools

Screenshot from Youtube

On the 19th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a directive to all 221 hospitals nationwide designated as training hospitals for resident doctors, stating that resident doctors should not leave their clinical duties. At 100 large hospitals where 95% of all resident doctors work, by 11 p.m. on the 19th, 55% or 6,415 resident doctors had submitted resignation letters. While not all resignations have been accepted, 1,630 doctors have left their positions.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has issued work resumption (return) orders to 831 individuals so far. It plans to inspect the sites of 50 large hospitals and impose administrative penalties such as suspension of medical licenses on resident doctors who do not comply with the work resumption orders.

On the other hand, on the 20th, representatives from hospitals nationwide gathered to discuss future actions for about five hours. The contents of the meeting have not been disclosed, but a statement is expected to be issued soon.

At some hospitals, almost half of the physicians are resident doctors, so their absence directly affects patients.

The Damage Reporting Support Center set up by the Ministry of Health and Welfare received 103 consultations in just one day on the 19th. Of these, 34 were complaints, with 25 related to the cancellation of surgeries.

There have been cases where surgeries for children, scheduled a year in advance, were suddenly postponed, despite parents taking leave from work accordingly. A cancer patient scheduled for surgery on the 26th had their surgery canceled.

Second Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Park Min-su appealed to the resident doctors, stating, “Do not threaten patients’ lives to express your intentions,” and urged them to return to their patients even now.

 

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South Korean Doctors Anger With Increasing Students of Medical Schools

(source:internet, reference only)


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