Since February 20, approximately 8,940 medical interns and residents in South Korea have been on strike, refusing to see patients and attend surgeries. This strike was initiated in response to the government's proposal to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 students annually. The government aims to address the country's aging population by adding up to 10,000 doctors by 2035, as South Korea currently has a lower physician-to-population ratio compared to developed nations.
Reasons Behind the Strike
The striking doctors-in-training argue that the sudden influx of medical students would overwhelm the educational system and potentially lead to overtreatment, driving up medical costs. They fear that most new doctors would opt for lucrative specialties like plastic surgery, exacerbating the existing shortage of physicians in critical areas such as pediatrics and emergency medicine.
Impact on Patients
The walkouts have disrupted hospital operations, resulting in the cancellation of surgeries and medical treatments. Reports indicate instances where patients were denied care due to the lack of medical staff, with one case involving a patient who passed away after being turned away by multiple hospitals.
Government Response
In response to the strike, the government has extended working hours at public medical institutions, allowed nurses to perform certain medical procedures typically done by doctors, and opened military hospital emergency rooms to the public. While the Vice Health Minister assured that critical and emergency patient care remains stable, concerns persist regarding the overall impact on the healthcare system if the strike continues or senior doctors join in.
Future Outlook
The government has set a deadline for striking doctors to return to work by Thursday to avoid license suspensions and legal repercussions. Despite the warnings, the trainee doctors show no signs of backing down, and there is a possibility of senior doctors joining the strike, which could further disrupt hospital operations.
Public opinion on the strike remains divided, with a majority supporting the government's recruitment plan. Concerns about the potential consequences of prolonged strikes on patient care and the healthcare system as a whole continue to loom over the ongoing situation.
