Joint Medical Community Statement Released... "Medical Reform Special Committee Discussions Must Be Halted"

The Korean Medical Association, Jeonui Association, Jeonui Church Association, and The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences Issue Joint Statement

The medical community has urged the government to immediately halt discussions of the Presidential Commission on Medical Reform (Special Committee, Special Committee).

Choi Anna, spokesperson for the Korea Medical Association, is speaking at a briefing on current issues held at the KMA Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 20th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) held a briefing on the afternoon of the 21st at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and issued a joint statement with this content. Along with the KMA, the National Emergency Committee of Medical School Professors (Jeon-uibi), the National Council of Medical School Professors (Jeon-u-gyopyeop), and the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences participated in the statement.

They claimed, "Although a nominal Special Committee has been launched, due to the irrational composition of the committee and lack of communication, it has been operating as a half-baked committee without the participation of the KMA, the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Korean Intern Resident Association (Daejeonhyeop), which represent the medical community, amid strong opposition from the medical sector."

They added, "The government excuses itself by saying that doctors are already participating in each specialized committee under the Special Committee, but they do not represent the medical field or convey the opinions of the medical community," and "The government must clearly acknowledge that they are merely acting as a rubber stamp following the Ministry of Health and Welfare's intentions."

They then urged the government to "immediately stop the Special Committee, which was inevitably limited in medical community participation from the outset, and create an effective forum where the medical community can participate."

The Special Committee, launched in April, is a social consultative body composed of government members, medical provider organizations, consumer groups, and experts from various fields to discuss and promote medical reform measures. The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to announce the first medical reform implementation plan from the Special Committee by early next month.

From its inception, the Special Committee has been criticized as half-baked because key medical organizations such as the KMA and Daejeonhyeop declared a boycott. However, the government proceeded with discussions while leaving the seats recommended by the medical community vacant.

Meanwhile, at the briefing, the KMA also announced the launch of a "Young Doctors Policy Advisory Group" within the KMA. The advisory group includes young doctors and medical students who won awards at the young doctors' medical policy contest held last month. However, the KMA drew a clear line, stating that the advisory group is unrelated to Daejeonhyeop, the representative organization of residents, and is not a government negotiation body.

Chae Dong-young, KMA Director of Public Relations and Deputy Spokesperson, said, "We have not communicated with the Daejeonhyeop executive. There is no need to be a representative of any organization to listen to policy opinions, and we plan to gather participants in open venues going forward," adding, "The policy contest mainly involved issues related to emergency and regional medical care, which are not matters that can be practically negotiated with the government."