"Some Requirements Under Discussion"... Government Urges Residents to Return

"Prompt Measures to Be Taken Soon"

The government urged medical residents to return to the medical field, stating that some of their demands are being discussed with a sense of urgency.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 25th, Kwon Byung-gi, the Essential Medical Support Officer at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated this during a briefing by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) on doctors' collective action. He said, "Among the demands presented by the residents' group, discussions are already progressing rapidly and implementation is being accelerated regarding the 'establishment of an organization for scientific physician supply and demand forecasting,' 'expansion of specialist recruitment at training hospitals,' 'specific legal measures for unavoidable medical accidents,' and 'improvement of poor training environments for residents.'

He added, "On the 4th, after gathering opinions from the medical field, we withdrew the orders to reject resignation letters, maintain medical services by residents, and commence work," and "We will also spare no support for training so that residents can receive training in a better environment."

He further stated, "We will promptly prepare measures so that tertiary general hospitals can focus on treating severe, emergency, and rare diseases centered on skilled personnel while receiving appropriate compensation, and residents can concentrate on their core training."

Meanwhile, the government also requested each training hospital to persuade residents to return by the end of this month and to process resignations for those who do not return. At the CDSCH meeting, Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong earnestly requested training hospitals, saying, "As mentors and seniors in the medical community, please do your utmost to persuade residents to return to their positions," and urged, "For residents who find it difficult to return, please promptly process their resignations and stabilize hospital operations by the end of June."