Medical Professors: "Contrary to Government Announcement, Majority of Emergency Rooms Unable to Provide Normal Care"

"Political Circles Must Take Situation Seriously and Urge Presidential Decision"

Medical school professors, contrary to the government's announcement, stated that the majority of emergency rooms are unable to provide normal medical services and urged for the punishment of those responsible for the medical collapse and the suspension of medical school enrollment expansion to resolve the situation.

The Emergency Response Committee of Medical School Professors Nationwide (Jeon-ui-bi) stated in a press release on the 2nd, "Emergency rooms are not operating properly due to a shortage of specialists," and "Contrary to the government's announcement, many emergency rooms are already unable to provide normal medical treatment."

They added, "Among 57 university hospital emergency rooms nationwide as of the 1st, 14 cannot perform deliveries, 16 cannot perform thoracic aorta surgeries, 24 cannot perform infant intestinal obstruction procedures, and 46 cannot perform infant endoscopies. Konkuk University Chungju Hospital, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Dankook University Hospital, National Medical Center, Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital, Ewha Mokdong Hospital, Kangwon National University Hospital, and Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital have either partially closed their emergency rooms or have plans to do so," they reported.

Furthermore, they predicted that starting from the Chuseok holiday, the number of diseases that cannot be treated in emergency care will increase, and the number of universities closing emergency rooms will rise.

Jeon-ui-bi stated, "Diagnosis of severe diseases is being delayed, patients are not receiving the best treatment, and surgeries are being postponed," and questioned, "Is the health and right to life of the people, as mentioned by the President, being protected in this situation?"

They also urged, "The political sphere must take the medical crisis situation seriously and call for the President's decisive action," and "The Supreme Court should issue a suspension order on the disposition to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 students to protect the health of the people and prevent the collapse of Korean medical care," they urged.