"Active Expression of Intent Can No Longer Be Delayed"
For Non-Severe Outpatient Care and Non-Emergency Surgeries and Procedures
Professors at Severance Hospital, Gangnam Severance Hospital, and Yongin Severance Hospital will begin an indefinite strike starting on the 27th.
The Emergency Committee of Yonsei University College of Medicine Professors (Emergency Committee) announced this decision in a resolution on the 26th. The committee stated, "Reflecting the will of all professors, we have decided on an indefinite strike as a last resort to end the current chaos," adding, "Despite patients' concerns and direct and indirect pressure from the government, Yonsei University College of Medicine professors are joining the movement of the medical community, represented by residents and students, because we can no longer delay actively expressing our stance on the serious issues in current medical policies."
They continued, "We deeply worry that the current situation is not limited to medical education or tertiary medical institutions," and added, "Policies that stem from distrust of doctors, and rhetoric suggesting that the health of all members of society is endangered by doctors' selfishness, are making any kind of dialogue impossible in future health policy formulation."
The committee demanded a progressive change in attitude from the government. They said, "We cannot help but point out that the root cause of the current situation lies in the government's incorrect perception of healthcare," urging, "To correct this, the government must listen to the medical community's concerns as experts and transform superficial dialogue into genuine communication."
They also expressed apologies to the public. The committee stated, "We deeply regret the dissatisfaction and anxiety of patients and their families in the current situation and will strive for an urgent resolution," adding, "However, we also take seriously the trust shown by willingly enduring inconvenience. We will do our best to lead changes toward a healthcare system that protects patients."
Since this is a decision based on individual professors' conscience, a full strike may not occur. The committee emphasized, "Our decision is by no means intended to harm the public, patients, or our beloved school," and added, "Our decision is to give the government, which caused and exacerbated this problem, a final chance to resolve it."
Previously, from the 9th to the 11th, the Emergency Committee conducted a survey of all 735 professors at Yonsei University College of Medicine and its affiliated hospitals. The results showed that 531 (72.2%) responded that they would take an indefinite strike stance and carry it out. Among them, 448 (61%) said they would support and participate in the Emergency Committee's indefinite strike implementation plan if professors decided to strike indefinitely, while 219 (29.8%) said they would decide based on each implementation plan issue. Only 68 (9.2%) responded that they would not participate.
The scope of the strike excludes inpatient wards, emergency rooms, intensive care units, dialysis rooms, delivery rooms, and essential maintenance tasks, focusing instead on outpatient care for non-severe patients and non-emergency surgeries and procedures.
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