“Please Come Back!” Gyeongnam Province Repeatedly Appeals to Residents Who Left the Field

"Please return to the place where we are eagerly waiting for you!"

As the resignation and workplace departure of residents opposing the expansion of medical school personnel enters its eighth day, Gyeongsangnam-do has once again urged residents to return to the field following its appeal on the 21st.

Park Ildong, Director of Health and Medical Services at Gyeongnam Province, is delivering an appeal for the return of resident doctors who left the field and explaining the related response situation.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

On the 27th, Gyeongsangnam-do appealed through a statement urging residents to return, saying, "The precarious time is running out" and "Please return to the field first."

"It has been a week since the residents left the field," it said, "Despite the dedication of those remaining, hospitals inevitably have to gradually reduce their roles."

"The residents are worried with a sense of crisis that the public may not receive hospital assistance at critical moments," it added, "Please resolve this through dialogue. Please ensure that the current sense of crisis does not become a reality that leads to irreversible regret."

"We express our deep gratitude to the medical professionals who, despite difficult conditions, are protecting hospitals and wholeheartedly caring for patients with tired bodies," it said, "We earnestly ask you to return to the medical field."

Gyeongsangnam-do Emergency Medical Situation Room.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

In Gyeongsangnam-do, a pan-citizen service is being implemented to minimize medical gaps caused by the collective action of residents submitting resignations.

The Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, led by the governor, provides tailored care services linked with medical institution guidance and accompaniment support for vulnerable groups such as homebound elderly and disabled individuals.

The Emergency Medical Countermeasures Headquarters has strengthened a 24-hour emergency medical system, managing the status of emergency medical systems, rapid patient transfer, transportation measures, and extended public hospital treatment hours.

The 24-hour operation of the Emergency Medical Situation Room has been further reinforced, coordinating responses with the Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters, emergency medical institutions in other regions, and public medical institutions under the Ministry of National Defense.

The military hospital, Jinhae Naval Maritime Medical Center, is providing emergency treatment for civilians, and the Masan Medical Center has extended its weekday treatment hours until 8 p.m. from the 27th, with Saturday treatment available until 12:30 p.m.

In response to the prolonged collective action by residents, the province has formed a legal support team to assist with potential medical lawsuits and legal consultations, providing dedicated lawyers to patients and their families.

Through the Gyeongsangnam-do official website and the 24-hour civil complaint call center (telephone consultation office), information about open hospitals and extended treatment hours at Masan Medical Center is being promoted.

So far, it is reported that 83% of residents and 91% of medical students in Gyeongsangnam-do have submitted leave of absence applications.

Resident departures are mainly occurring at tertiary hospitals, and these hospitals are reportedly reducing surgeries and treatments.

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