Seoul National University and Severance Begin Closure
Patients Worry About Potential Impact
Among the 'Big 5' major hospitals in Seoul, professors working at Seoul National University Hospital and Severance Hospital stopped outpatient consultations and surgeries on the 30th, heightening patients' anxiety.
According to the medical community, professors affiliated with Seoul National University Hospital and Severance Hospital, two of the Big 5, decided not to perform surgeries or outpatient consultations for the day. However, treatment for emergency and severe patients, as well as inpatients, will be maintained.
At 8 a.m. in the lobby on the first floor of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Nam (58), who was waiting in front of the blood collection room in a quieter atmosphere than usual, said, "Since consultations start at 9, I usually come two hours early and wait, but today there were no patients." He added, "The lobby is usually packed with people, but today it seems to have decreased by more than half." Nurse A from the cancer hospital said, "Professors from essential departments are all here working now, but it seems professors from departments with fewer patients are not seeing patients."
Amid the chaotic atmosphere, patients' anxiety is growing. Kim (59), a guardian of a liver cancer patient, said, "As someone who regularly visits the hospital, my heart sinks every time I hear news about conflicts between the government and doctors," adding, "I hope they both take a step back and meet to discuss something. Demanding a complete cancellation like this will only worsen the situation."
Kim Jihyun (36), guardian of a 5-year-old patient, also expressed concern, saying, "My child had surgery on the right eye in April and needs surgery on the left eye in May, but I am anxious because I don't know how the hospital situation will be in a month," and added, "Many people in online communities with similar patients are posting that their consultations have been canceled, which worries me a lot."
Jin (60), who came with his father undergoing chemotherapy, sighed, "Honestly, I am very angry because it seems like they are holding patients' lives hostage to push through what they want," and said, "My father is elderly and cannot undergo surgery, so he only comes frequently for tests, and I just hope there are no disruptions to his consultation schedule."
At the same time, the situation at Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu was similar. Although some outpatient departments that did not participate in the once-a-week closure saw an influx of patients, it was quieter than usual. Patients here also worried about being affected by the closure.
Lee Yangsuk (64) said, "Fortunately, I only receive regular check-ups, so there haven't been any major issues like cancellations yet," but added, "Still, I am anxious because there is no guarantee my health will remain stable. I hope the government shows efforts to resolve the situation."
Park (46), who visited the hospital for post-kidney transplant care, said, "I came because there was no separate notice of delays or cancellations," but expressed concern, "I am afraid this one-day closure might start and gradually prolong."
Kim (75), who was waiting for dental treatment, said, "Usually, after phone registration, it takes about a month to get treatment, but since the medical school expansion issue, it has taken two months," and appealed, "Doctors have enjoyed many privileges so far, but I hope they stop clashing with the government and reach a compromise."
However, contrary to patients' hopes, the gap in the medical-government conflict seems likely to deepen.
At the summit meeting between President Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, the day before, Lee expressed willingness to cooperate with the medical school expansion, strengthening the policy.
The Emergency Committee of Professors of Medical Schools Nationwide (Jeon-ui-bi) warned at a general meeting on the 26th that if the government announces medical school expansion, the once-a-week closure could be expanded.
Lim Hyun-taek, the president-elect of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), who will officially take office on the 1st of next month, stated, "The medical community clearly states that discussions can only start from scratch after the government first cancels the announcement of expanding medical schools by 2,000 students and the essential medical package policy," emphasizing, "Otherwise, the medical community will not move a single step and will not respond to any negotiations."
Meanwhile, Seoul Asan Medical Center, another Big 5 hospital, will stop consultations and surgeries for general patients starting on the 3rd of next month. Following the decision of the Emergency Committee of Professors at Ulsan University College of Medicine, which trains at Seoul Asan Medical Center, Ulsan University Hospital will also close on the same day.
Professors at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital have decided not to conduct outpatient consultations and non-emergency surgeries every Friday starting from the 3rd of next month. Professors at Samsung Seoul Hospital plan to take one day off per week according to their individual consultation schedules.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
