The South Korean government announced on Monday the deployment of military doctors to bolster hospital emergency rooms facing staffing shortages, as a strike by young doctors continues to strain the nation’s healthcare system.
The strike, involving interns and residents, has led to significant pressure on medical facilities across the country. Despite concerns raised by some medical professionals about the potential collapse of healthcare services, Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo refuted these claims.
“There are some challenges in the emergency medical system, but it is not at risk of collapse, as some have suggested,” Park said during a briefing. He acknowledged that while some hospitals have reduced emergency room (ER) hours and are operating with fewer doctors, reports of major hospitals shutting down ER operations are inaccurate.
To address the staffing shortages, the government plans to initially deploy 15 military doctors to the most affected emergency rooms. Starting September 9, an additional 235 military and community doctors will be rotated through troubled hospitals, according to Park.
Earlier on Monday, the national association of medical school professors issued a statement warning that many emergency rooms were not providing regular services and that the healthcare system’s collapse had already begun.
The ongoing strike highlights tensions within South Korea’s medical community, as young doctors protest working conditions and other industry issues. The government’s intervention aims to ensure that essential medical services remain available to the public during this period of unrest.
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South Korea deploys military doctors amid medical staff shortage
cgtn.com
