The government expressed regret over medical school professors' decision to take one day off per week and their announcement of resignation.
Jeon Byeong-wang, Director of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) briefing on the 26th, "We regret that the medical school professors' group has announced a one-day-per-week work stoppage and resignation stance while residents have been absent from medical sites for over two months."
Jeon explained, "So far, only a small number of resignation letters have been officially submitted in proper form and requirements to university headquarters and hospital personnel departments, and we understand that none of these resignation letters are scheduled to be accepted," adding, "There was no disruption at medical sites yesterday, which marks one month since the professors submitted their resignation letters."
He continued, "Most medical school professors are staying by patients' sides, and many have expressed their intention not to leave medical sites even if they oppose government policies," and urged, "We ask the medical school professors not to ignore the appeals from patients and various sectors of society and to continue to stay by the patients' side."
The government promised to further strengthen support as the fatigue of medical staff remaining on site increases.
Jeon said, "The government is deploying substitute personnel, supporting new hires, training nursing staff to assist with medical care, and providing support for senior doctors to prevent frontline medical staff from becoming exhausted," and requested, "Hospitals should also consider the fatigue of medical staff and create conditions that allow them to rest and recharge." He added, "In this process, please communicate sufficiently with patients in advance to ensure that scheduled surgeries and hospitalizations are not suddenly changed or disrupted for a long period."
At the CDSCH meeting that day, the results of the '1st Medical Reform Special Committee' held the previous day and future operational plans were discussed.
Jeon explained, "The Medical Reform Special Committee decided to resolve the accumulated structural and complex problems and to promote large-scale institutional improvements," adding, "The committee presented three future directions for medical reform: strengthening essential medical services, establishing a regionally complete medical system, and actively responding to a super-aged society, selecting a total of 11 tasks to promote these goals."
He also said, "The participating committee members agreed that momentum and an opportunity have been created to properly advance medical reform that has been delayed for decades, and they also agreed on the need to promptly resolve current issues and present a future blueprint for health and medical care," adding, "We plan to proceed with medical reform discussions at a rapid pace to achieve early results." The 2nd Medical Reform Special Committee meeting is scheduled to be held in early May.
He urged the medical community to come forward to the discussion table. Jeon repeatedly requested, "We ask the medical community to show a progressive attitude," and "Please end collective actions and come forward to the discussion table where the medical community can express their opinions."
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