Welfare Ministry Makes Every Effort to 'Soothe' Amid Signs of Doctors' Collective Action

Minister Cho Kyu-hong: "Making Hospitals Sustainable Workplaces...
Don't Doubt the Government's Sincerity"
Minister-Led Meeting Even During Seol Holiday

As the medical community is expected to actively pursue collective action after the Lunar New Year holiday, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is making every effort to prepare a response.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 12th, the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, the Ministry of Health and Welfare held the 5th meeting of the Central Accident Response Headquarters for Doctors' Collective Action (CARH) chaired by Minister Cho Kyu-hong. At the meeting, the operation status of emergency treatment and emergency medical systems was checked. In addition, to respond to potential cases of public harm, a 'Damage Report Center' was established. Any patient who has suffered damage related to medical treatment can receive services such as medical inconvenience counseling and legal consultation.

Minister Cho said, "I am grateful to the medical personnel and related parties who protected emergency treatment sites during the Lunar New Year holiday," and added, "We will continue to support so that the public does not face difficulties in accessing essential medical services such as emergency care."

The day before, Minister Cho posted a message titled 'A Letter to Residents' on social media, emphasizing the necessity of expanding medical school quotas and appealing for the medical community's participation.

In the post, Minister Cho stated, "I am well aware that there are many objections and concerns on the ground regarding the expansion of medical school quotas," and added, "However, please do not doubt the government's sincere intention to make hospitals sustainable workplaces." He continued, "The essential medical policy package and the expansion of medical school quotas aim to solve long-standing health care issues and improve the system where residents are unable to focus on training due to excessive workloads, allowing them to better develop their skills and qualities during the training period." He further said, "Saving lives is always inherently difficult, but at least we want more people to share this work to reduce the burden."

Minister Cho emphasized, "The government will definitely fulfill its promise to overcome the crisis in regional and essential medical care and to revive the medical system," and added, "We will accelerate policy implementation such as the medical accident safety net to achieve visible changes quickly on the ground."

Meanwhile, the Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA), a residents' organization, plans to hold an online extraordinary general meeting in the afternoon to discuss collective action against the government's medical school quota increase. According to a survey conducted by KIRA from December 30 last year to January 3 this year targeting about 10,000 residents belonging to approximately 140 training hospitals nationwide, 88.2% of respondents said, "If the government increases the medical school quota, I will participate in collective actions such as strikes."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.