Conflict over emergency medical center operation
Government: “No emergency room concerns”
Medical community: “Only solution is to resume expansion”,
Min-su Park, vice minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, giving a briefing on emergency medical response at the Sejong Government Complex on the 2nd. He stated, “When looking at the overall emergency medical capacity, there are some difficulties, but it is not a situation to fear collapse, as raised by some. We will deploy 15 military medical officers to medical facilities with limited emergency room operations starting on the 4th, and from the 9th, we will concentrate on deploying about 235 military medical officers and public health doctors to high-risk facilities.” Yonhap News,
, ‘With medical staff shortages causing operational disruptions in emergency rooms nationwide, the government decided to provide daily briefings to guide the emergency medical situation. The government emphasized that the emergency room situation is not of concern, and that balancing doctor supply through expansion is the key to resolving emergency room treatment problems. However, the medical community still maintains that discontinuing medical school expansion is the only solution to calming the situation. Medical associations are urging members to prioritize their own health and family well-being and not to engage in emergency duty during the Chuseok holiday period.’,
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, ‘Vice Minister Park stated at the briefing on emergency medical response held at the Sejong Government Complex on the 2nd, “When assessing the overall emergency medical capacity, there are some difficulties, but it is not a situation to fear collapse as some have suggested.” He added, “We will deploy 15 military medical officers to medical facilities with limited emergency room operations starting on the 4th, and from the 9th, we will concentrate on deploying about 235 military medical officers and public health doctors to high-risk facilities.”‘,
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, ‘According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, hospitals experiencing difficulties in operating emergency medical centers as of the latest data include Chungju Hospital of Konkuk University, Kangwon National University Hospital, and Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital. Chungju Hospital of Konkuk University had all 7 staff members planning to resign but, through persuasion by the local government and hospital, 2 members have since returned. Kangwon National University Hospital and Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital will have restricted adult and night clinics from today but plan to operate normally during the Chuseok holiday period. Ajou University Hospital has announced the suspension of operations one day per week, but it is being operated without closing thanks to an investment of 1 billion won in personnel expenses from Gyeonggi Province.’,
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, ‘The Ministry of Health and Welfare disclosed that out of 409 emergency medical centers nationwide, 406 centers are operating 24 hours a day. The number of emergency medical beds accounts for 97.5% of the total 6,069 beds as of the first week of February, just before the doctors’ collective action. The number of emergency medicine specialists at regional emergency medical centers has increased by 105% compared to December of last year, according to the ministry. However, due to the shortage of medical residents, the staffing level is only at 73.4% compared to normal.’,
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, ‘Contrary to the government’s position, the medical community is concerned that the cumulative shortage of medical staff will lead to a crisis in emergency room operations after Chuseok. They have continued to demand blank expansion of medical schools. The Emergency Response Committee of the Nationwide Association of Medical College Professors stated, “More patients requiring emergency treatment will be unable to receive it as the Chuseok holiday passes, and more universities will close their emergency rooms,” questioning whether the current emergency response system is functioning well. They also urged, “The Supreme Court must issue a stay of execution on the decision to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 people to prevent the collapse of public health and the Korean medical system.”‘,
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, ‘The Korean Medical Association, in a letter to its members, also made remarks mocking President Yun Seok-yeol’s statement on the 29th of last month, claiming that emergency medical services are running smoothly. The association stated, “We hope that this Chuseok holiday, members will prioritize their health and family well-being and trust the government and the president,” and suggested that citizens should contact government agencies or the presidential office.’,
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, ‘In response, Vice Minister Park commented, “It seems to be the personal opinion of Chairman Im Hyun-taek of the Medical Association,” and added, “I believe most doctors prioritize patient care above all else,” emphasizing the importance of caring for patients. The government also stressed that such situations underscore the need for healthcare reform. Vice Minister Park stated, “The current problems in emergency medical care stem from long-standing structural issues such as a shortage of medical personnel due to delayed healthcare reform. We will expedite healthcare reform efforts.”‘,
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