SEOUL, South Korea. South Korea’s government has issued a deadline until the end of February for protesting young doctors to return to work, warning of repercussions if they fail to comply. The ultimatum comes as a response to a week-long protest that has disrupted medical services at several major hospitals across the country.
Amid a government initiative to increase the number of students admitted to medical school, two-thirds of the nation’s resident and intern doctors walked off the job. This move aims to address a shortage of physicians, a challenge exacerbated by South Korea’s rapidly aging population.
The ongoing protest has led to hospitals rejecting patients and canceling procedures, prompting concerns over public health. Safety Minister Lee Sang-min emphasized the severity of the situation, citing mounting chaos in hospitals and the critical condition of emergency services.
Minister Lee urged protesting doctors to return to their duties by February 29, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing patient care. He warned of potential legal consequences for those who remain absent, including suspension of medical licenses and prosecution.
The protesting doctors argue that the government should address issues related to pay and working conditions before implementing measures to increase the physician workforce. However, Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo emphasized that failure to return to work by March 1 would result in punitive measures, including a minimum three-month suspension of medical licenses.
While senior doctors and private practitioners have not participated in the walkout, they have rallied against the government’s plan to expand medical school quotas. Despite opposition from some medical professionals, a significant portion of the South Korean population supports the initiative, championed by President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Recent polls indicate strong public backing for the plan, irrespective of political affiliations. President Yoon’s approval rating has seen a notable increase, reaching 41.9% according to a survey by Realmeter.
In addition to expanding medical student intake, the government has outlined various measures to enhance medical services, including incentives for doctors in essential disciplines and underserved regions. However, critics argue that the timing of these initiatives, amid upcoming elections, suggests political motives.
Medical professors at Seoul National University have called for postponing discussions on the plan until after the April general election, raising concerns about potential electoral influences on healthcare policy decisions.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
