Health ministry considering various measures on junior doctors

May 23, 2024, 09:33 am

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Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong holds a press conference at the press center in Seoul on May 22, 2024./ Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare

AsiaToday reporter Roh Sung-woo

The Ministry of Health and Welfare said it is considering various measures in relation to the fact that most trainee doctors have not returned to their work even after the recent court’s ruling.

“It is difficult to say the level of administrative measure uniformly at this point because the timing and reasons for leaving their worksites may differ,” said Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong at a press briefing on Wednesday.

Only 659 junior doctors, or 5.1 percent of some 13,000 trainee doctors at major training hospitals, had returned to work as of Monday though the government renewed its appeal for them to resolve the standoff over medical reform through dialogue. The health ministry said that no specific administrative measure has been made so far.

“The administrative measure can take up to three months,” the minister said. “If the trainee doctors return, we can fully consider it when we take the main measure.” Regarding the claim for damages against trainee doctors raised by some, the minister said they are not considering it at all.

The health ministry urged trainee doctors to return to work as soon as possible, as emergency treatment measures such as opening emergency units at military hospitals to the public and enabling nurses to undertake specific responsibilities held by doctors are not sustainable.

Minister Cho pointed out that trainee doctors account for 40 percent of the total number of doctors in high-level general hospitals, and said, “If trainee doctors do not return to work, the operation of emergency treatment measures will reach its limit.” He stressed that it is difficult to normalize the medical system with just single means.

The ministry said it is not considering whether to change the schedule for the state medical license exam. “If medical students return, we don’t have to change the schedule of the state exam,” Cho said. “If there is a need to change, we need to have sufficient discussions with relevant ministries.”

#Cho Kyoo-hong #health minsitry #trainee doctors