33% Are Aged 60 or Older... Gyeongbuk Faces the Most Serious Issue
Young Doctors Avoid Obstetrics and Gynecology, Contemplating Resignation
It was found that 3 out of 10 obstetrics and gynecology specialists are aged 60 or older. Concerns are rising as the aging of specialists overlaps with an already insufficient number of specialists.
On the 20th, Park Seung-hee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, cited data received from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, revealing that as of August this year, there are 6,082 obstetrics and gynecology specialists.
The average age is 54.5 years, with 33% aged 60 or older. On the other hand, specialists aged 30 or younger numbered only 708, accounting for just 11.6%. In particular, there were only 9 specialists in their 20s under the age of 30.
By region, Gyeongbuk had the highest average age nationwide at 60.8 years. This was followed by ▲Jeonbuk at 59.6 years and ▲Jeonnam at 59.1 years. Regions with an average age lower than the national average included only four: ▲Daegu at 54 years, ▲Gyeonggi at 53 years, ▲Seoul at 51.8 years, and ▲Sejong at 51.5 years, all still above 51 years on average.
Gyeongsangbuk-do, where aging is most severe, also had the lowest number of obstetrics and gynecology specialists. The number of specialists per 1,000 female residents was 0.16, the lowest nationwide.
This phenomenon is interpreted as young doctors avoiding obstetrics and gynecology due to low consultation fees and the risk of accidents.
According to Kim Jae-yeon, president of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Association, as of the 13th, three out of four obstetrics specialists at university hospitals nationwide who handle high-risk pregnant women are reportedly considering resignation.
In response, the Obstetrics and Gynecology Association is demanding an increase in fees and the establishment of a system where the state takes responsibility if delivery accidents occur. They argue that if unavoidable accidents happen despite medical staff efforts, there must be a guarantee that the state will take responsibility for doctors to enter obstetrics and gynecology.
Lawmaker Park pointed out, “Although 3 out of 10 obstetrics and gynecology specialists have already passed the statutory retirement age, only 1 out of 10 specialists is aged 30 or younger. The number of specialists is lower and the average age is higher in rural areas, raising concerns about future medical gaps in obstetrics and gynecology. Therefore, urgent policy measures are needed to strengthen public healthcare capabilities in these regions.”
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