Eight Hospitals Under Catholic Central Medical Center Closed on the 18th

"Inaeju Indefinite Suspension Discussion"

Professors at eight hospitals under the Catholic Medical Center will go on strike on the 18th. Two days later, on the 20th, discussions will be held regarding an indefinite strike.

Seoul St. Mary's Hospital exterior view. [Image source=Seoul St. Mary's Hospital]

The Emergency Response Committee of the Catholic University Medical School Professors' Association announced this in a statement on the 12th. The committee declared, "The eight hospitals under the center will go on strike starting Tuesday, the 18th," adding, "Emergency rooms, emergency and critical surgeries, intensive care unit treatments, and inpatient care will not be affected."

The committee revealed that according to a survey conducted at each hospital regarding the strike, over 75% of participants, who make up more than 60% of the total members, agreed to protest against the government through the strike. Accordingly, the eight hospitals under the Catholic Medical Center?Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, St. Vincent's Hospital, and Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital?will go on strike on the 18th.

However, the decision on whether to proceed with an indefinite strike will be discussed next week. The committee stated, "Regarding additional actions such as an indefinite strike, we have decided to discuss this at the full professors' meeting on Thursday, the 20th, after observing the government's response."

The committee demanded the cancellation of various administrative orders issued to residents, emphasizing, "We want to stress that the key to resolving the issue is for the government to first show sincerity," and added, "The increase in medical school quotas must be deeply reconsidered from the ground up." They further stated, "We want to emphasize to the government, which is acting as if everything ended with the announcement of the quotas, that this is not the end."

They also expressed apologies to patients who may experience inconvenience. The committee said, "We sincerely apologize to patients who may face inconvenience due to the strike," and requested, "We ask for your understanding that this strike is an effort by doctors to restore patients' rights to receive quality care in a normal medical environment so that they can receive better treatment at their side."