Concern Arises Over Looming Resignations of Medical Professors: South Korean Health Minister

Seoul, March 18 (IANS) South Korea’s Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong expressed grave concerns over medical professors collectively resigning to support junior doctors’ walkout, which has disrupted medical services for nearly a month. About 90 per cent of interns and resident doctors have been on strike since late February in protest of the government’s decision to boost medical school enrollments.

The emergency committee of medical professors announced that faculty members from 16 medical schools will submit resignations en masse on March 25 to seek a breakthrough in the impasse. Cho criticized the professors’ decision, stating, “The people will find it difficult to comprehend their claim that they will leave patients en masse in order to seek dialogue and compromise.”

The health minister urged professors to focus on persuading students and junior doctors to return to schools and hospitals. He plans to meet with top hospital heads and state-run hospital administrators to monitor the emergency medical system. The government also aims to revamp the scheme to help essential medical field doctors receive more fees from national health insurance.

Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo stated that the government plans to inject around 3 trillion won ($2.25 billion) to revitalize obstetrics and paediatrics departments. The government’s push to increase medical students is to prepare for the ageing population and physician shortages in rural and essential areas. Doctors argue that the quota hikes will lower medical education quality and increase costs for patients.

Doctors have called for measures to address underpaid specialists and improve legal protection against excessive medical malpractice lawsuits. The government is working towards a solution to the ongoing crisis between medical professionals and the authorities.