"Major Emergency Rooms Unable to Operate Normally, Be Aware in Advance"

6 Emergency Rooms Currently Suspended or Scheduled for Suspension
2 Additional Hospitals at Risk of Future Suspension

As the medical-government conflict stemming from the collective strike of residents prolongs, the number of emergency rooms struggling to operate normally is increasing.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 5th, out of 409 emergency rooms nationwide, 405 are operating 24 hours a day. 27 locations, accounting for 6.6%, are operating with reduced beds. The number of emergency medical institution beds is 5,925, which corresponds to 97.6% of the usual 6,069 beds in the first week of February.

Notice of Reduced Operation on Thursday at Ajou University Hospital Emergency Room. [Photo by Yonhap News]

As of the previous day, a total of six hospitals have partially suspended or are scheduled to suspend emergency room operations. There are also two hospitals that are currently operating normally but are expected to suspend operations in the future.

Yangcheon-gu, Seoul Ewha Mokdong Hospital limits night-time treatment every Wednesday. However, it is scheduled to operate normally during the Chuseok holiday period.

Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do Ajou University Hospital will only accept and treat critically ill patients (cardiac arrest patients) every Thursday starting from the 5th. Pediatric emergency room treatment is also limited every Wednesday and Saturday. The restricted hours are from 7 a.m. on the respective day to 7 a.m. the following day.

Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do Gangwon National University Hospital and Dodam-dong, Sejong Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital currently have restricted adult night-time treatment. However, they are expected to operate normally during the Chuseok holiday period.

Chungju-si, Chungbuk Konkuk University Chungju Hospital currently has operational restrictions during nights and weekends. Originally, seven emergency medicine specialists were scheduled to resign, but two have returned following persuasion by local governments and the hospital.

Cheonan-si, Chungnam Soonchunhyang Cheonan Hospital operates 24 hours a day. However, the pediatric emergency medical center only provides treatment three times a week during daytime due to a shortage of pediatric emergency specialists.

Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam Busan National University Children's Hospital has suspended treatment for pediatric respiratory initial patients in the pediatric emergency room.

Jung-gu, Seoul National Medical Center is currently operating normally, but it is reported that staffing conditions are poor. Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital is also considering not accepting new patients in the emergency room during night hours over the Chuseok holiday.