Healthcare Disaster Crisis Alert Raised to 'Caution' Amid General Strike... "Minimizing Medical Service Gaps"

On the 13th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare raised the health and medical disaster crisis alert from 'interest' to 'caution' in response to the nationwide general strike initiated by the Health and Medical Industry Labor Union (Health and Medical Union).

Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong is briefing on the results of the health and medical issues review meeting held at the National Assembly on the 13th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The Ministry held an internal crisis assessment meeting and upgraded the alert level according to the 'Health and Medical Disaster Crisis Management Standard Manual' due to the strike. The Ministry explained, "As the union is conducting a strike from the 13th to the 14th and has announced an indefinite strike starting from the 17th, raising concerns about gaps in medical services, we decided to issue the 'caution' level to minimize disruptions to the public's access to medical services."

Following the escalation of the crisis alert, the already operating 'Medical Institution Strike Situation Inspection Team' will be converted into the 'Central Emergency Medical Countermeasures Headquarters,' and emergency medical countermeasure headquarters will be established in each city, province, and district to inspect essential maintenance tasks. The Ministry plans to discuss the strike situation and response status at a meeting with deputy heads of cities and provinces on the 14th.

Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated, "We will closely monitor the situation on the ground and implement necessary measures to ensure that the public does not suffer from gaps in medical services," adding, "We request that healthcare professionals faithfully perform their original duties and stay by the patients' side to protect the health and lives of the people from any threats."