"Now Is the Time to Unite Our Strength"
The government has asked the medical community, which is currently engaged in collective action in opposition to the increase in medical school admissions and other issues, to take action only if the government's policies are not properly implemented, rather than acting now. This is a request to support the ongoing medical reform policies, which are just beginning.
On the morning of the 16th, Lee Hangyeong, the 2nd Chief Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Head of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters), held a meeting at the government complex in Sejong and said, "Now is the time for everyone to unite for better medical reform," adding, "Rather than engaging in collective action before implementing the long-delayed medical reforms, including by residents, the medical community should step up only if the government's medical reform tasks are not properly carried out."
He also appealed that the medical community agrees on the necessity of medical reform itself. Lee stated, "Medical reform is about normalizing the distorted medical system. Although the medical community has consistently pointed out problems in the medical system, comprehensive reform of the system has been delayed."
He reiterated the government's determination to push forward with medical reform. Lee mentioned concerns that the policies proposed by the Medical Reform Special Committee would be difficult to realize without financial support, and said, "The government is preparing bold investment plans, including national finances, with stronger determination than ever to ensure that medical reform is implemented without setbacks." Since early this year, the Medical Reform Special Committee has been implementing detailed reform tasks such as ▲increasing fees for high-risk and complex essential medical services by sector ▲pilot projects to reduce continuous working hours for residents.
Lee also said, "Yesterday, the Seoul National University College of Medicine Professors' Emergency Committee demanded 'transparent and rational policy decisions,'" adding, "For the same reason, the government operates the Medical Reform Special Committee as a social consensus body for medical reform. We hope they will participate now and make rational policy proposals."
Meanwhile, although the deadline for residents to return, set by the government, expired yesterday, there was no particular comment on this. It is known that the majority of residents at major large training hospitals have not expressed any particular intention. Training hospitals must identify whether residents will return or resign and submit the number of personnel to be recruited in the second half of the year to the Ministry of Health and Welfare by the 17th.
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