The South Korean government on Thursday called on doctors to reconsider their planned walkout on Friday in protest to the country’s healthcare reform proposal – mostly the stretch of enrollment quota and schools to add 4,000 medical students over the next 10 years.

“The government proposes to resolve the issues through dialogue,” said Park Neung-hoo, minister of health and welfare, on Thursday at Seoul government complex, but warned that the government would take “stern” actions if doctors go ahead with the planned strike and cause serious disruptions to the country’s medical system.

“Some medical associations considering collective suspension in medical examination and collective action at a serious time with COVID-19 can threaten the safety of the people,” he said. “People’s health and safety should not be threatened in any circumstances.”

Doctors have expressed strong opposition to the government’s recently announced healthcare reform proposal that includes a plan to increase admission quotas of medical school students by 4,000 over the span of 10 years starting in 2022. Trainee doctors have threatened to go on an all-out strike on Friday and members of Korean Medical Association, the largest trade union for doctors in Korea, on August 14.

Doctors who oppose the plan argue that the country’s wrong healthcare policies, not the shortage of doctors, have caused the lack of sufficient patient care in essential medicine and workforce in provincial areas. The increase in the number of doctors would overcrowd and weaken competitiveness in the medical community amid thinning population.

The planned strike has raised concerns over medical vacuum as Korean Intern Resident Association that represents resident doctors from all fields including intensive care unit, delivery, operation, dialysis, and emergency room are expected to join the action.

“The government will be ready for all scenarios to prevent medical vacuum and protect health and safety of the people,” Park said.

The minister also asked junior doctors for understanding as expanding medical admission quota is an inevitable decision for the people and country. He said the government will closely negotiate with the medical circle on further details.

By Pulse

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