The recent death of a South Korean woman in her 80s, who was denied entry to multiple hospitals due to the ongoing doctor strikes, has shed light on the significant impact these strikes are having on the healthcare system in the country. The strike, led by about 70% of junior doctors, is in protest against the government’s plans to increase the number of physicians, fearing increased competition in the field. As a result of the strike, emergency rooms have been understaffed, leading to postponed surgeries, patient transfers, and even the death of the woman who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting for treatment.
The ongoing strike has resulted in a public health crisis, with more than 9,000 doctors refusing to work and around 10,000 submitting their resignations at hospitals across the nation. As a result, interns and residents, who typically staff emergency rooms, have been absent, forcing hospitals to operate on contingency plans. This has not only led to delays in critical care but has also put a strain on the entire healthcare system, prompting the government to declare the healthcare system at the highest crisis level.
The strike has also sparked a political standoff between doctors and government officials, with the latter threatening legal action against the striking doctors. President Yoon Suk-yeol has refused to back down on his policy to increase the number of medical graduates by 60%, citing the country’s shortage of physicians, particularly in critical areas like obstetrics and pediatrics. Despite previous efforts by the government to expand medical school placements, doctor groups have vehemently opposed such initiatives due to concerns about potential income losses in the highly privatized healthcare system in South Korea.
While doctors argue that they are fighting for their commercial interests, public health experts stress that the priority should be the welfare of the South Korean people. With only 2.5 doctors per 1,000 people in the country, significantly lower than other OECD nations, the shortage of physicians poses a serious challenge, especially with an aging population. Critics argue that doctors must put the needs of the public above their own financial concerns, emphasizing the importance of opening up the profession to more competition for the greater good of society.
