Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital Strike Ends, Normal Medical Services Resume

Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital.

Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital is set to end its strike and resume normal medical services starting from the afternoon of the 2nd.

According to Gyeongnam Province on the 2nd, Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital continued individual strikes from July 13th even after the general strike by the Health and Medical Workers' Union on June 27th.

Gyeongnam Province announced that a mediation agreement between labor and management was reached on the afternoon of the 1st, marking 20 days since the strike began, and hospital services are expected to normalize as early as the afternoon of the 2nd.

The main points of the mediation agreement include ▲eradication of illegal medical practices ▲conversion of non-regular workers to regular positions ▲staff expansion ▲wage increases ▲expansion of essential maintenance tasks including operation of beds for emergency cancer patients such as adult and pediatric cancer, with detailed contents to be finalized after internal consultations between labor and management.

During the strike, the province operated an emergency medical response situation room, conducted on-site visits, mediated negotiations between labor and management, urged a return to medical services, and requested cooperation from related ministries such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare to normalize hospital services.

A provincial official stated, “There were concerns about a prolonged hospital strike due to difficulties in labor negotiations, which could have caused a medical service gap for residents, but fortunately, the negotiations were settled through mutual concessions and understanding,” and added, “We express our gratitude to the residents who endured inconveniences in accessing medical care during this period.”

He continued, “We will cooperate to ensure that Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital can do its best to provide medical services for severe patients, including adult and pediatric cancer patients, as the responsible medical institution for the eastern region.”

Apology from Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital.
[Image source=Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital website]

Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital posted an apology related to the strike on its website on the 2nd.

The apology began with the words, “We sincerely apologize for the unprecedented strike since our opening, which caused indescribable concern and great harm to patients and their families over the course of 20 days.”

The hospital stated, “With a heart reborn after agonizing pain, all hospital staff will unite to empathize with the difficulties of patients and their families and do our best to provide the best medical care and fulfill our social responsibilities as a public institution,” adding, “We will never disappoint again and will ensure that there are no difficulties in medical treatment.”