Seoul City Launches 'Emergency Measures' in Response to Reality of Resident Doctor Shortage

Government Crisis Alert Raised to 'Severe': Immediate Implementation of Emergency Medical Measures
Big 5 Hospitals and Medical Sector Situation and Emergency Medical Institutions Status Checked
Extended Clinic Hours at Municipal Hospitals... Weekend Clinics with Private Practitioners' Participation

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has launched an emergency medical response plan in response to the work stoppage by residents opposing the government's expansion of medical school quotas. If the government raises the health and medical disaster crisis alert to 'severe,' Seoul city hospitals and district health centers will immediately extend their consultation hours.

On the 20th, Seoul confirmed the work stoppage situation of residents at the 'Big 5' hospitals (Seoul National University, Severance, Samsung Seoul, Seoul Asan, and Seoul St. Mary's Hospital) and began checking the medical sector situation and emergency medical institutions through the Emergency Medical Response Situation Room.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the medical community, more than 1,000 residents affiliated with the 'Big 5' had already expressed their intention to resign as of the previous day. It is reported that thousands of residents nationwide have expressed their intention to resign, including about 110 at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital and about 130 at Ajou University Hospital.

Earlier, on the 6th, Seoul had formed the 'Seoul Emergency Health Care Countermeasures Headquarters,' led by the First Deputy Mayor of Administration, following the Ministry of Health and Welfare's issuance of a 'caution' alert for the health and medical disaster crisis starting from the 7th.

Considering the reality of collective action in the medical community, Seoul has completed preparations for an immediate emergency medical response. Accordingly, if the health and medical disaster crisis alert is adjusted to 'severe,' eight Seoul city hospitals will extend weekday consultation hours until 8 p.m., focusing on essential departments such as internal medicine and surgery. Four city hospitals?Seoul Medical Center, Boramae Hospital, Dongbu Hospital, and Seonam Hospital?will operate their emergency rooms 24 hours a day.

Each of Seoul's 25 district health centers will form emergency medical response headquarters and extend consultation hours until 8 p.m. on weekdays. In particular, if private practitioners also join the collective action, consultation hours will be extended through the weekend. Additionally, to respond to emergency patients, the 24-hour operation status of emergency rooms at 349 emergency medical institutions will be checked, and information on open hospitals and clinics will be provided through the Emergency Medical Portal.

Communication with the medical community will be pursued to request restraint from collective action. In cooperation with the government, strict measures are also being prepared, such as issuing work commencement orders according to government guidelines to residents and private practitioners participating in the strike.

Mayor Oh also reaffirmed the principle of 'protect patients first, resolve conflicts later' the day before, stating, "If emergency patients are neglected, doctors will become more distant from public opinion." Mayor Oh said, "There can be differences in opinion. Since this is an issue involving collective interests, some resistance is understandable," but added, "However, news that surgeries and procedures for terminal cancer patients and cesarean sections for twins are suddenly being postponed worries us." He emphasized, "If emergency patients are neglected, doctors will become more distant from public opinion," and added, "It is reasonable to keep the fundamental principle of increasing the number of doctors open and to discuss detailed measures with the government amid the collapse of regional medical care, avoidance of essential medical services, and the advent of a super-aged society."

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