Public hospitals in South Korea are facing challenges as over 8,400 trainee doctors, representing about 64% of resident and intern doctors, have gone on strike in protest. The walkout is causing a strain on hospital operations, particularly in emergency rooms, intensive care units, and operating rooms where these doctors play a vital role.
In response, the health ministry announced that public hospitals will extend their operating hours and open on weekends and holidays to help alleviate the pressure caused by the strike. The government has also raised the health alert level to “severe” due to the growing impact on hospital services.
Despite the protests, senior doctors and the Korean Medical Association have not joined the walkout but are demanding the government abandon its plan which has sparked the strike. The protesters are mainly concerned about pay and working conditions, rather than the number of physicians in the country.
The prime minister has urged young doctors to reconsider their actions, highlighting the respect they earned during the Covid-19 pandemic. The government is open to dialogue with the medical community to address their concerns.
A large rally is expected to take place in Seoul on Sunday, with the support of about 76% of respondents according to a Gallup Korea poll. The government’s plan to increase medical school admissions is backed by a majority of the public, despite the ongoing strike. The impact of the protest is being felt in emergency departments in major hospitals, emphasizing the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing crisis in the healthcare system.
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