2024-03-03 18:16:00
On the 3rd, a ‘national doctor rally to block the expansion of medical school seats and essential medical care packages’ is being held at Yeoui-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul./News 1
The Korean Medical Association, which opposes the expansion of medical schools, held a ‘National Doctors’ Rally’ in Yeouido, Seoul on the 3rd. Police estimate that about 10,000 people attended. On the other hand, among the 9,000 residents who resigned en masse, only 565 of them returned by the 29th of last month, which was set by the government as the deadline for return. Although medical school deans and others appealed, “If the noble profession of medicine is to be recognized, we must fulfill our social responsibilities,” many of the residents did not return, and medical practitioners took to the streets to demonstrate their skills. This may be because they believe that ‘if doctors hold out, the government will eventually give in.’
Ahead of the rally on this day, several posts were posted on online communities saying that some doctors were forcing pharmaceutical company salespeople to attend the rally. It is said that in order to show off their power, the doctors unfairly forced pharmaceutical company employees, who were in the ‘B’ position in their work, to attend the meeting. The Korean Medical Association denied the suspicions, but said, “We cannot confirm whether there is a deviation from the general membership.” Considering the professional dynamics between doctors and pharmaceutical company employees, this cannot be said to be entirely unlikely. If true, it is difficult to avoid criticism that doctors are abusive.
Doctors may oppose the expansion of medical schools. However, our country is the only country where doctors go on strike, holding patients’ lives hostage, and this cannot be rationalized by any justification. How will responsibility be taken if patients die or suffer serious aftereffects as a result? In fact, such signs are already appearing in the medical field. What kind of people would sympathize with an exercise in skill that takes the lives of patients, the reason doctors exist, as hostages?
The government has announced a strict response policy. They warned that those who fail to return to their majors will have their licenses suspended for three months and will be subject to judicial action. It is said that the plan is to allocate 120 billion won in reserve funds to compensate medical staff guarding treatment sites and hire replacement personnel. However, if large-scale disciplinary action and punishment become a reality and the situation prolongs, confusion in the medical field and fatigue of medical staff will inevitably increase. Catastrophe must be prevented in any form. To do that, you must first return to residency. We must demand from the government that we do our minimum duty. Then the people will also listen to what they say. The government must also respond strictly, but keep the window for dialogue open.
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