Professor Lee Guk-jong of Ajou University Hospital criticized Ajou University Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Seulgi Kim] Recently, Professor Lee Guk-jong of Ajou University Hospital, who announced his intention to leave the trauma center, criticized Ajou University Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW).
In an interview with a media outlet on the 20th, Professor Lee stated, "The hospital side makes excuses such as closing 100 beds last year due to construction and temporarily being unable to accommodate patients at the regional trauma center, but honestly, everything except breathing is a lie," and added, "The MOHW is nothing but the 'backer' of Ajou University Hospital."
To support these claims, Professor Lee disclosed the contents of text messages exchanged on November 11 last year between MOHW official Mr. A and Ajou University Hospital Planning and Coordination Office Director Mr. B.
Regarding the message content, Professor Lee said, "This was shown by Hospital Director Han Sang-wook during a meeting related to the operation of the doctor helicopter in November last year, saying, 'No matter how much you fly and run, it’s useless.'"
Through the text message, Mr. A conveyed, "Regarding the bed-related matters I consulted on, I hope you can clearly organize the hospital’s position, including an action plan, within this week. I sincerely hope the hospital’s internal issues are resolved smoothly."
In response, Mr. B sent a message to Han Sang-wook, Director of Ajou University Hospital, saying, "The MOHW official (Mr. A) who visited earlier seems to be under pressure from higher-ups."
Professor Lee lamented that when the MOHW, which was inspecting the hospital’s government support budget on-site, was actually communicating with the hospital side to induce a 'smooth resolution,' he could only feel frustrated.
He expressed anger, saying, "A MOHW section chief was frequently contacting the Planning and Coordination Office Director, and I was the only one being made a scapegoat."
Professor Lee then pointed to Minister Park Neung-hoo of the MOHW and criticized him. He said, "In 2018, I gave a two-hour face-to-face report to Minister Park regarding the operation of the regional trauma center, including nursing staff recruitment," and strongly stated, "Would the minister act like this even if her daughter worked at the (Ajou University Hospital) trauma center?"
Professor Lee said, "The MOHW and the hospital say that if I just stay quiet, all problems will be solved, so I will step down from the center director position and quietly live while teaching medical students." He added, "I am not a philanthropist. Looking back now, I feel like I have been a 'beggar' for the hospital for 20 years. I can no longer do this work."
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