Ministry of Health Sends Mail to Executive Personnel
KMA Announces Full Strike and Mass Rally on the 18th
It has been confirmed that a collective action ban order has been issued against the executive members of the Korea Medical Association (KMA), who announced a full strike on the 18th and a nationwide doctors' rally.
According to the government and the medical community on the 17th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a ban order on collective action and incitement of collective action on the 14th against 17 executive members, including KMA President Im Hyun-taek.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare sent the official letter containing this order to the 17 individuals by mail. The order reportedly also stated that illegal refusal of medical treatment and strikes could violate the Medical Service Act.
The current Medical Service Act stipulates that medical personnel or medical institution operators cannot refuse medical treatment requests without justifiable reasons. If medical personnel unjustifiably suspend treatment or if medical institution operators conduct a collective shutdown causing significant disruption to patient care, the Minister of Health and Welfare or local government heads may issue a work commencement order to the medical personnel or medical institution operators.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has pointed out that, based on this Medical Service Act, unilaterally canceling medical appointments already scheduled without the patient's consent and without a specific treatment plan change may constitute a refusal of medical treatment prohibited by the Medical Service Act.
Meanwhile, the KMA has announced that on the 18th, all doctor members including medical school professors, employed doctors, and private practitioners will go on a full strike and hold a nationwide doctors' rally in Yeouido, Seoul.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
