South Korea broadens telemedicine service availability to community health centers

In Seoul, South Korea, the government has permitted community health centers to offer remote clinical services through video or phone appointments due to ongoing disruptions at major hospitals caused by a mass walkout by junior doctors. The decision comes after more than six weeks of the labor action, according to a senior official.

Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo announced that “contact-free treatment institutions are expanded to public health centers and their branch offices.” This move aims to ensure that patients continue to receive necessary medical care during the doctors’ strike.

Since February 20, approximately 12,000 trainee doctors have been on strike, leading to significant challenges in delivering healthcare services. In a show of solidarity, medical professors at major hospitals have also joined the walkout, prompting the government to take action to address the situation.

To address the shortage of medical professionals, the government plans to increase the number of medical professors by 1,000. Universities are required to provide feedback on the required number of professors by the upcoming Monday to help facilitate this process. This initiative is crucial to maintaining the quality of healthcare services in the country amidst the ongoing strike.

As the strike continues to impact the healthcare system, the implementation of telemedicine services at community health centers is a step towards ensuring continued access to medical care for the public. The government’s efforts to address the issues arising from the doctors’ walkout demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding public health during challenging times.

In conclusion, the decision to expand telemedicine services to community health centers in South Korea underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the disruptions caused by the ongoing strike by junior doctors. The initiative aims to provide essential medical care to patients while also taking steps to alleviate the strain on the healthcare system.