Collective Walkout Announced for the 18th... Only 3.3% of Medical Institutions in Busan Reported Closure Among All Ordered Institutions

Medical Institutions to Be Ordered to Resume Operations... Clinics Must Provide Same-Day Care Unless There Is a Valid Reason Despite Closure Reports

Emergency Medical System: Monitoring Clinic Closures and Requesting Extended Hours at Busan Medical Center and Public Health Centers to Ease Patient Inconvenience

On June 18, the first day of the collective strike announced by the Korean Medical Association, a total of 87 medical institutions in Busan reported closures, accounting for 3.3% of all institutions subject to the order.

In response to the collective strike announcement by the Korean Medical Association, the city issued a treatment order and closure report order on June 10, in accordance with Article 59, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act, to a total of 2,661 medical institutions (excluding dental clinics and Korean medicine clinics among clinics, and including some hospital-level institutions).

As a result, the number of medical institutions that reported closure on June 18 was 87, representing 3.3% of all institutions subject to the order.

The city plans to issue a business commencement order to all targeted medical institutions in accordance with Article 59, Paragraph 2 of the Medical Service Act. Therefore, even if a closure has been reported, each medical institution must provide treatment on the day unless there is a legitimate reason.

Although the advance closure report rate is 3.3%, the city plans to minimize any gaps in medical service by closely monitoring the collective strike situation on June 18 in cooperation with the 16 districts and administrative procedures will be implemented accordingly.

Busan Medical Center will extend its operating hours until 7 p.m. on the day to ensure that patients do not experience inconvenience when using local medical institutions, and the 16 district health centers have been requested to extend their operating hours until 8 p.m. on the same day.

Additionally, to prevent gaps in pediatric care, the city requested the seven Dalbit Children's Hospitals within the city to adhere to their operating hours and, through the Busan Pharmacists Association, asked public night pharmacies to comply with their operating hours as well.

Lee Sora, Director of the Busan City Citizens' Health Bureau, stated, "Our city will do its utmost to operate an emergency medical system, including providing information on open hospitals and clinics through various media to alleviate any inconvenience for citizens seeking medical care."

Busan City Hall.