Korean Medical Association Emergency Committee, MBC Radio Interview
"May Perform Medical Procedures by Revising Enforcement Decree"
As the Nursing Act bill faces a vote in the National Assembly plenary session, opposition to the enactment of the Nursing Act is intensifying. Park Myung-ha, the emergency response committee chairman of the Korea Medical Association, claimed that the Nursing Act infringes on the rights of other minor medical professions and called it a "special privilege law for nurses."
Chairman Park appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 5th and criticized Article 1 of the Nursing Act bill, pointing out that it included "community" not only for improving (nurses') treatment but also to expand their own domain.
On the afternoon of the 26th of last month, officials from the Health, Welfare, and Medical Solidarity held a general rally condemning the forced passage of the Nursing Act and Medical License Act on Yeouidaero in front of Yeouido Park, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
He continued, "In March, when the passage was almost certain, they said they would enter the project called parental care," adding, "They are openly revealing their ambitions."
He said, "Nurses worked hard during the COVID-19 situation, and the Nursing Act was created with the intention of improving their treatment," but "in fact, it infringes on the rights of other minor professions such as nursing assistants, emergency medical technicians, clinical pathologists, and radiologists, while only prioritizing nurses' treatment."
He also mentioned concerns that if the Nursing Act passes, nurses might perform medical procedures without doctors' supervision. Chairman Park said, "Since 13 health and medical organizations oppose it, the nursing side says many problematic parts have been removed and that the bill is just a shell, but it can be changed anytime through amendments or enforcement ordinances."
He added, "Through community care projects, they plan to create centers where they guide other professions such as nursing assistants, care workers, and social workers, which raises concerns in the medical community about the possibility of illegal acts that could harm public health."
Furthermore, Chairman Park emphasized, "The Nursing Act is not a livelihood bill and there is no urgent need to rush it," stressing that "the 4 million-strong health and welfare medical coalition, including doctors of the Korea Medical Association, nursing assistants, emergency medical technicians, and care workers, is strongly resisting and opposing it."
He urged, "We must keep in mind what is the right answer and the proper path for public health without infringing on the rights of other minor professions, and have extensive discussions with the 13 health and medical coalitions, including the Korea Medical Association."
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