On the 16th, a patient is seen being transferred at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Professors at Seoul National University Hospital will go on an indefinite strike starting on the 17th. However, essential services such as emergency rooms, intensive care units, delivery rooms, and dialysis units will continue. The group has announced that 529 professors from Seoul National University Hospital, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul Metropolitan Boramae Hospital, and Gangnam Center will participate in a full strike starting from that day, representing 54.7% of all participating professors (967). The surgery operating rate is expected to drop from 62.7% to 33.5%.
Regarding the strike, 529 professors, representing 90.3% of all participating professors (873), have expressed their support. The emergency action committee for Seoul National University and Seoul National University Hospital stated that while regular outpatient consultations and surgeries will be postponed during the strike, critically ill or rare disease patients will still be treated. The committee held a rally at Seoul National University in the morning to announce the beginning of the indefinite strike and will host a symposium on the topic of “Death of Expert Groups” in the afternoon.
In response to the strike, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it will strengthen the emergency medical system to handle the possible impact of collective actions across the medical industry. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for Doctors announced the implementation of a national duty system for severe emergency diseases starting from the 17th to ensure prompt treatment for critical patients.
The government also stated that patients affected by the doctors’ collective actions can report cases of harm to “129” for rapid response and support in coordination with the government and local authorities.