Medical Association's 'All Special Committee' Resumes on 20th... Medical Students and Residents Invited

Discussion on the 'National Doctors' Grand Debate' and Future Directions

The "Special Committee for Proper Medical Care" (Olteukwi), whose meeting was canceled on the 13th, will resume.

Poster for the application to observe the 3rd meeting of the 'Special Committee for Proper Medical Care' held on the 6th. [Image source=Korean Medical Association]

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) announced this in a press release on the 17th. The 4th meeting of Olteukwi will be held on the 20th at 3 p.m. at the KMA Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Launched on the 20th of last month, Olteukwi attracted attention as it was expected to present a unified voice of medical organizations, centered on medical school professors, residents, medical students, and local medical associations. However, it started with controversy as residents and medical students declared their absence. On the 13th, the weekly Saturday meeting was canceled, sparking rumors of a collapse and discord between medical school professors and private practitioners.

In response, the KMA dismissed the rumors of discord related to Olteukwi. At a press conference held on the 15th, the KMA explained that the meeting was only postponed for a week due to scheduling conflicts of several members.

Meanwhile, following the 3rd meeting, the KMA plans to hold the 4th meeting in an open observation format by inviting medical students and residents. Im Jin-su, secretary of Olteukwi (KMA Planning Director), said, "At the 4th meeting, we will discuss the nationwide doctors' grand debate scheduled for the 26th and have in-depth discussions on the future direction of Olteukwi."

He added, "We can reconsider the composition, purpose, and direction of Olteukwi from scratch together with medical students and residents," and "As a policy organization, Olteukwi will strive to listen to the opinions of medical students and residents and prioritize reflecting them."